September 14, 2009: Twice in last two months, there has been rocket fire across the border in Punjab (a huge province divided between Pakistan and India). While such attacks have declined since peace talks began five years ago, the fact that they continue indicates lack of discipline in the Pakistan military, or inability to halt the operations of Islamic terrorists on their side of the border. India believes there are major terrorist training camps in Pakistani Punjab, pretending to be religious schools, and tolerated by local officials, who are either sympathetic to the Islamic radicals, or terrorized by them (or both). Pakistan has tolerated Islamic radicals for decades. This was originally thought to be a way to make the country stronger (or at least more honest and disciplined.) But that has backfired, as the Islamic radicals are more interested in fighting among themselves, or overthrowing the government to establish a religious dictatorship.

In Pakistani Waziristan, air raids and attack helicopters have killed hundreds of Taliban, and caused over 120,000 civilians to flee their homes. But the army is reluctant to advance on the ground, preferring to attack the Taliban from the air. This is giving air force jet fighter-bombers their heaviest exposure to combat operations since the 1970s. Also today, another Hellfire attack on a Taliban safe house took place, the third in a week.

Former military dictator of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf , admitted that he diverted billions of dollars worth of American military aid, meant for operations against Islamic terrorists, to build up Pakistani military forces facing India. Musharraf made no apology for this criminal behavior, saying he did it for the good of Pakistan. The U.S. has since put more restrictions on aid to Pakistan, but it is expected that the Pakistanis will continue to steal and divert American aid, and lie about it to the U.S.

In southern India, an iron ore producer reported that shipments were down 22 percent in the last five months because of attacks by Maoists (who are trying to get the company to pay for "protection" from such attacks.) The Maoists use such extortion payments to finance their activities.  

Indian security forces are finally, after decades of considering the Maoists a local police problem, mobilizing for a major offensive. This requires obtaining vehicles and helicopters, and fuel to operate them for sustained periods. A satellite mapping effort is preparing maps and detailed photos of the remote areas where the Maoists have their camps. The police and army expect it will take several years of heavy effort to crush the Maoists.

September 13, 2009: In the Swat Valley, the Taliban announced that they were beaten. The Pakistani army said they had surrounded the overall Taliban commander in the valley, Maulana Fazlullah, and would probably capture or kill him.

September 12, 2009: In Indian Kashmir, a car bomb went off 150 meters from the jail in the city of Srinagar. This was the first major terror attack in Indian Kashmir this year. Islamic terrorist activity have been greatly reduced in the a Kashmir for the last few years, so this attack bothered the Indians a great deal. In the Khyber Pass area, the Taliban threatened the tribal police with violence, against them and their families, if they continue to report for duty against the Taliban. Most of the 2,500 tribal police showed up for work, but 350 were dismissed for staying away.

September 11, 2009: In Pakistan's Swat Valley, troops captured five Taliban leaders, including the local spokesman, who handled most of the communication with local and international media. Nearly 2,000 Taliban have died in the Swat Valley fighting, and two million civilians fled their homes. The operation has been going on for most of the Summer, the Taliban have been defeated and most of the civilians are returning home.

September 9, 2009: Pakistani troops continued their sweep of the Khyber Pass area, killing over twenty Taliban in the last 24 hours and destroying safe houses and headquarters for the Taliban operating in the area. The army has the help of local tribesmen, who prosper from the truck traffic going through the pass, one of the two main roads in and out of landlocked Afghanistan. The Taliban attacks have interrupted the traffic, and cost the local tribes money and credibility. Meanwhile, in southeast Pakistani, Baluchi terrorists attacked twice, leaving nine dead.

September 8, 2009: For the second time in two days, American UAVs fired Hellfire missiles at locations where Taliban and al Qaeda leaders were hiding along the Pakistani border with Afghanistan. Over a dozen were killed. These attacks have been going on for a year and have terrorized the terrorist leaders. Nothing they can do can stop the attacks, or provide immunity from being targeted. Meanwhile, another war continued in the tribal territories, as a group of Shia students, walking to school, were attacked by Sunni gunmen. Four of the students were killed, and three wounded.