Morale of Pak troops down, losing faith in war on terror

The morale of the Pakistani troops, especially in the volatile regions of the countrys North West frontier Province (NWFP), appears to have taken a beating in the wake of the killing of 18 Pakistani soldiers by pro-Taliban militants.

Islamabad, Sept.19 : The morale of the Pakistani troops, especially in the volatile regions of the country's North West frontier Province (NWFP), appears to have taken a beating in the wake of the killing of 18 Pakistani soldiers by pro-Taliban militants.

According to The Telegraph, with military fatalities soaring past the 1,000 mark since July this year, the will to continue with the war on terror, is evaporating.

The news that the throats of some of the murdered soldiers had been found slit, has created a sombre mood within the military rank and file, forcing the higher -ups to conduct an intense scrutiny.

Many Pakistanis believe the war on terror to be "someone else's war".

The army's willingness to fight against its fellow Pakistanis has been in particular doubt since August 30, when tribal militants in South Waziristan captured 248 soldiers without firing a shot. A colonel and two majors were among those held.

Major General Naseerullah Babar, a former interior minister, said: "Perhaps they are not convinced to fight against their own people," he said.

Talat Masood, a former lieutenant general, says that the state has lost its authority and is in full retreat especially in Waziristan and Bajaur.

An army spokesman denied, however, that troops were reluctant to take up arms.

"There is no low morale in the army," said Lt Col Baseer Haider.

The military campaign in the tribal areas has coincided with political turmoil and uncertainty over the army leadership's future.

General Musharraf is under pressure to appoint a new army chief as his aides have said that he may have to resign his military commission to get elected president next month.

ANI