Peace Deal Quashed, Pakistan Warns: Flee

500,000 Expected To Leave Swat Valley As Taliban, Gov't Forces Draw Closer To Conflict; Zardari Heads To D.C.

(CBS/AP)  Black-turbaned militants roamed city streets and seized buildings in a northwestern Pakistan valley Tuesday as thousands of people fled fighting between the Taliban and troops that the government said could lead to an exodus of half a million people. The Taliban declared the end of their peace deal with the government.

Buses carrying the residents of Mingora, the region's main town, were crammed inside and out: Refugees clambered onto the roofs after seats and floors filled up. Children and adults alike carried their belongings on their heads and backs — all of them fleeing fighting they fear is about to consume the region.

Taliban militants positioned against the Pakistani government in the remote northern Swat valley proclaimed an end to a controversial peace deal with the regime of president Asif Ali Zardari, ahead of the Pakistani leader’s meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on Wednesday.

“Practically, it (peace agreement) was over when the government began attacking our positions” said Muslim Khan, spokesman for Taliban hardliners, in a telephone interview with CBS News' Farhan Bokhari.

Khan’s comments appeared to highlight a fast aggravating situation in the region where analysts said a military conflict appeared more likely. On Tuesday night, Taliban militants reportedly some government buildings in Swat, in a particularly provocative move, further defying the Pakistani government.

Khan also demanded an immediate enforcement of Islamic ‘sharia’ law in the area as well as a formal end to Pakistan’s ties to the U.S., adding “why should we go by the orders of Obama, why should he interfere in our internal affairs”.

Pakistan's leader prepared for talks in Washington with Mr. Obama on how to sharpen his country's fight against al Qaeda and the Taliban, which are blamed for attacks in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. The deteriorating Swat Valley truce with the Taliban, which American officials opposed from the start, is expected to play a prominent role in the discussions.

CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent Lara Logan says Mr. Obama will stress how Pakistan's efforts to achieve peace with the Taliban are failing.

"The biggest difference of opinion between the U.S.'s position and the Pakistanis' is that some kind of peace deal is still the way to go - negotiating with these people, avoiding high civilian casualties, etc. That clearly is not working," Logan told CBS Early Show anchor Harry Smith.

Khushal Khan, the top administrator in Swat, said Taliban militants were roaming the area and laying mines.

A witness in Mingora told an Associated Press reporter that black-turbaned militants were deployed on most streets and on high buildings, and security forces were barricaded in their bases. Another reported heavy gunfire for much of the day. Both asked for anonymity out of fear for their life.

(Left: Pakistani volunteers remove a dead body from the site of suicide bombing at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Peshawar, May 5, 2009.)

Khan said the militants were in control of "90 percent" of the valley and said they were responding to army violations of the peace deal — citing attacking insurgents and boosting troop numbers. He accused the government of caving to U.S. pressure.

Pakistan agreed to a truce in the Swat Valley and surrounding districts in February after two years of fighting with militants in the former tourist resort. It formally introduced Islamic law last month in the hope that insurgents would lay down their arms, something they have not done.

Last week, the insurgents moved from the valley into Buner, a district just 60 miles (100 kilometers) from the capital, triggering alarm at home and abroad. The army responded with an offensive that it says has killed more than 100 militants, but has yet to evict them.

"Everything will be OK once our rulers stop bowing before America," Muslim Khan, the Taliban spokesman, told The Associated Press by cell phone, adding the peace deal had "been dead" since the operation in Buner.

Khushal Khan, the Swat official, said curfew was suspended so people could leave Mingora, and a camp was set up for the displaced in a nearby town. Hundreds were leaving, according to an AP reporter in Mingora.

"We are leaving the area to save our lives," said Sayed Iqbal, a 35-year-old cloth merchant who was putting household goods in a pickup truck already loaded with his elderly parents, wife and two children. "The government has announced people should leave the area. What is there left to say?"

Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the information minister for the North West Frontier Province, said up to 500,000 people were expected to flee the valley. Hundreds are already gone, adding to roughly half a million people driven from other regions in the northwest over the last year by fighting between soldiers and insurgents, witnesses said.

Hussain said authorities were releasing emergency funds and preparing six new refugee camps to house them.

While an army offensive would be welcomed abroad, it was far from certain the government would be able to dislodge the militants, who have had three months under the peace deal to rest and reinforce their positions.

Pakistan has waged several offensives in the border region in recent years that have often ended inconclusively amid public anger at civilian casualties. The country's army, trained to fight conventional battles against rival India, is not used to guerrilla warfare.

Washington has called for tougher action, and U.S. officials said Obama would seek assurances from President Asif Ali Zardari that his country's nuclear arsenal was safe and that the military intended to face down extremists in coordination with Afghanistan and the United States.

Although the administration thinks Pakistan's nuclear weapons are secure for now, concern that militants might try to seize one or several of them is acute. The anxieties have heightened amid the Taliban's recent advances, the officials said.

Pakistan is struggling to thwart an increasingly overlapping spectrum of extremist groups, some of whom have enjoyed official support. Few extremist leaders are ever brought to justice.

Also Tuesday, the High Court in the southern city of Karachi upheld an appeal by two men sentenced to death for the 2002 slayings of 11 French nationals and four other people in a bombing outside the city's Sheraton Hotel.

The judges said they suspected that the confession of one of the men, Asif Zaheer, was "not voluntary" and that prosecution witnesses had been "set up" by authorities, said state prosecutor Saifullah, who goes by only one name.

Authorities were considering appealing the acquittal, Saifullah said.

[anthonylim]

The Taliban and al queda simply use islam for their own selfish ineterst think of it, if ever they rule pakistan it will be like living in the middle ages. It will be another killing fields of cambodia. The world must not let any killers or nation whose sole aim is to terrorize people to rule the world. Pakistan must not let another dark age rule the continent.

[WeMadeAmistake]

Let's send President Narcissist to negotiate with al queda. Better yet, let's send him, Joe, Nancy, Harry, Barnie, Chucky, Murtha and a few other corrupt Demcraps on a one way mission to Pakistan. Now that's CHANGE we could use!

[WeMadeAmistake]

President Narcissist didn't take care of the pirates. Our Navy did. But if that event had taken place when Bush was in office, you would be hearing the leftist Obamunists complaining about 'why we were there in the first place' and whining about Bush mongering and Bush this and Bush that...... How ironic it is now that we have a major world killing crisis developing in Pakistan that would not be the case if Mushariff was still in power. Note, it was the left that whined and complained about Mushariff. President Narcissist is out of his league on this one. Pray to God that the Taliban and al queda don't get there hands on nuclear weapons.

[hamiltongrad]

HOW COME the world is so hard on the ISraelis for fighting their own version of Taliban - Hamas and HEzbollah, also ISlamic crazy Fascists, with barbarian brains and ethics ?

Next time you read Disproportionate use of Force, or the critical calls for IS to stop bombing, I want you all to remember the silence now vs. Pakistan who is rightfully defending its people and the right to exist in freedom.

BBC, CBS and all the others, listen up, we are at war.

[iDragon13]

Pakistan with it's nuclear arsenal is crumbling and we have Obama opening relations with Iran, Cuba and Venezuela.
We should all feel safe!
Posted by budmag06

So take your fear mongering and get the heck out then. Go somewhere you feel safe.

[TPS2]

The US should start dismantling its own massive nuclear ambitions and the world will follow.
Posted by SanityPlease at 6:26 AM : May 5, 2009

And Santa Claus will bring presents, and the Easter Bunny will bring candy...wishful thinking.

[1notrub11]

You know for those of you who are saying Obama this and that just remember how he handled the pirates. I would be very careful what you wish for it just might come true.
Posted by antoniof123

Aye, ok; while I agree with the approach on the pirates, this is a TOTALLY different matter. I dont think there are any behavior surprises here on the part of the Taliban. The Pakistani military moves are refreshing but need to stand the test of time. And India is uncharacteristically quiet about this, but don't think they are not watching. This thing is an accident waiting to happen, and has been on the cusp for a long time.

The Taliban needs to be removed - no question. They cannot be trusted.

[aspadeisaspade]

Is ANYONE surprised that The Taliban went against their word and STILL have their sharia law in the area anyway? Really? Pakistan made the stupidest move with the peace agreement; they basically showed the world that terrorism actually works.

[ayatoldya]

The Pakistanis are trying to take over the land that has nuclear weapons and capabilities to use them. Let's pray they are not successful.
Posted by blog_fever2

What the hey?

[dubya_luvr]

Oh well not to worry, our guy bowed to the king so were ok!
Posted by Trust_me_ at 2:25 PM : May 5, 2009

FAIL

Dumbest. Post. Ever.

[Trust_me_]

Oh well not to worry, our guy bowed to the king so were ok!

[iam4honesty]

This is a direct result of Bush leaving Afghanistan undone while he ran off to steal Iraq's oil.
Posted by BeckieBest

I agree with everything except the oil part. Not ONE drop of Iraqi oil has been shipped to the US. Not one Iraqi oil contract has been awarded to an American oil company. Europe may be getting some of it, but not the US.
Posted by ayatoldya


CORRECT!!

it was not the Iraqi oil that Bush and Cheney were after, the plan was to loot the US Treasury and they did a splendid job!

[hamiltongrad]

the Taliban are evil.

[notblue]

This is the direct result of Islamic extremism and it's ongoing agenda of death, destruction, greater middle east and world dominance. This modern day cancer on all free people throughout the world will never stop until it is destroyed. Negotiation,patience, and hope will not stop these barbarians.

[ayatoldya]

This is a direct result of Bush leaving Afghanistan undone while he ran off to steal Iraq's oil.
Posted by BeckieBest

I agree with everything except the oil part. Not ONE drop of Iraqi oil has been shipped to the US. Not one Iraqi oil contract has been awarded to an American oil company. Europe may be getting some of it, but not the US.

[BeckieBest]

This is a direct result of Bush leaving Afghanistan undone while he ran off to steal Iraq's oil.

[antoniof123]

You know for those of you who are saying Obama this and that just remember how he handled the pirates. I would be very careful what you wish for it just might come true.

[jsf14]

Perhaps the Swat agreement was a Pakistani feint to draw in Taliban fighters. If so, hope forces are waiting for Taliban when they withdraw back to Afghanistan in response to Pakistani attempts to reclaim territory. Don't count on starving them out -- some of the world's most practiced smugglers work in that area.

[budmag06]

Pakistan with it's nuclear arsenal is crumbling and we have Obama opening relations with Iran, Cuba and Venezuela.
We should all feel safe!

[dnamj]

Pakistan is screwed.