New York Times reporter escapes Taliban kidnappers after 7 months in captivity

KABUL — A New York Times reporter known for making investigative trips deep inside dangerous conflict zones escaped from militant captors after more than seven months in captivity by climbing over a wall, the newspaper said Saturday.

Pakistan army says it’s preparing offensive against Taliban stronghold in S. Waziristan

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s army launched airstrikes and ferried in tanks and artillery as it confirmed Tuesday that it was preparing a major offensive against insurgents in al-Qaida and the Taliban’s safest haven along the Afghan border.

Taliban recruiting teenagers for its ‘martyrdom missions’

LONDON - Ever since the Pakistan Army began its offensive against the Taliban in the Swat Valley and Malakand Division of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the outlawed outfit has been recruiting teenagers to volunteer what it call ‘martyrdom missions.’

Zardari rules out shifting troops from Indian border

WASHINGTON - Putting aside continuous US demands for shifting its troops from the eastern Indian border to the Western border along Afghanistan to focus more on the Taliban’s surge, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the move is not possible.

Analysis: In meetings with leaders, Obama tests high-stakes strategy in Afghanistan, Pakistan

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s complex, costly and far-reaching strategy for Afghanistan, one that links success there with stability in neighboring Pakistan, embarks on a high-stakes shakedown cruise this week.

India takes up Taliban targeting Sikhs with Pakistan

NEW DELHI - India Friday said it had taken up the issue of treatment of minorities with Islamabad, following reports of Sikhs being persecuted by the Taliban in parts of Pakistan.

Taliban inching closer towards Islamabad, enters Shangla in NWFP

ISLAMABAD - Inching closer towards the capital city Islamabad, the Taliban has entered Shangla district adjacent to Buner in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

‘Pakistan right at this minute is a more acute problem than Iran,’ says expert

WASHINGTON - A senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, who served as an adviser in the Clinton and Bush State Departments, has warned that as of now the evolving situation in Pakistan is more acute than Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions.

Six troopers killed in Islamabad suicide attack (Third Lead)

ISLAMABAD - At least six troopers were killed and 11 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a high-security zone in the heart of the Pakistani capital Saturday evening, apparently targeting security forces near the diplomatic enclave close to the president’s office.

FBI rejects Baitullah’s claim on New York terror attack

WASHINGTON/LONDON - The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Saturday rejected the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud’s claim that he was responsible for Friday’s attack on a US immigration assistance center in New York, in which 14 people were killed.

Obama AFPAK strategy has potential to backfire, says US Senator

NEW YORK - US President Obama’s strategy review for Afghanistan and Pakistan, unveiled last week, finally focuses the government’s attention and resources where they are most needed, says an editorial in the New York Times.

26 die in suspected US drone attack in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - At least 26 people were killed Saturday when a suspected US drone fired two missiles on a militant hideout in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region, an intelligence official said.

Pakistan closes major NATO supply route through Khyber Pass

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Wednesday temporarily closed a vital supply route for Western troops in landlocked Afghanistan, officials said.

Spain rules out more troops for Afghanistan

MADRID - Spain has ruled out more troops for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) fighting the Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan but said it was considering sending peacekeepers to war-ravaged Somalia.