The Taliban are fast gaining on Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad. Reports on Tuesday said the Islamic militia is now marching towards Haripur, a district 50 km from Islamabad and the lone remaining buffer territory.
With Swat and the North West Frontier Province firmly in their grip, the Taliban has already overrun Buner district before their advance to Haripur. Besides the Taliban are gaining in newer areas.
Security analyst Muhammad Amir Rana said: "The Taliban are marching towards other areas, the settled areas at the same pace as they were marching from 2006. So there is no doubt that this is an emerging threat."
Even more worrying for India is that the Taliban are teaming up with local militant groups to make inroads into Punjab province.
Signs of Taliban terror abound in the villages near Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab. Fearing the hardline mullahs of the militia, traditional ceremonies have been halted in some areas.
In at least five towns in southern and western Punjab, barber shops, music stores and Internet cafes have already received threats from the terrorists.
Senior police officials in Dera Ghazi Khan admitted: "It's going from bad to worse. They are now more active. This is a fact. I don't think a lot of people understand the gravity of the issue. If you want to destabilize Pakistan, you have to destabilise Punjab." |