NATO’s dilemma is how to stop Taliban’s return

WASHINGTON/KABUL - NATO and Afghan forces are drawing up plans to stop the Taliban from re-infiltrating in the country and preventing it from waging a campaign of intimidation against local inhabitants.

Earlier this week forces stormed the last cluster of villages under insurgent control in the nearby “Horn of Panjwaii” during a nighttime helicopter raid.

The Independent quoted a NATO spokesman, as saying that resistance had been “light” but that troops were still clearing the area of homemade bombs.

The action is intended to drive the insurgents from the last of their safe havens, from where they can affect security in southern Afghanistan’s political and spiritual capital, and to provide breathing space for the West to manage its exit strategy.

The campaign is also the only occasion Nato will be able to wage an offensive with the full weight of President Obama’s troop surge, before Nato forces begin a scheduled draw down next year.

Analysts, however, warn that there is little evidence of progress behind the bluster, and there is growing suspicion in Kabul that mention of peace talks is no more than a NATO propaganda campaign designed to sow distrust in the Taliban ranks. (ANI)