No one knows what really transpired when Zardari was in the US for meetings at the UN but upon his return to Pakistan there seems to have been an increase in activity against Al-Qaeda and its supporters in the northwestern region of the country. There also seems to be an increase in US activity, either in terms of actual personnel crossing the border from Afghanistan into Pakistan or through attacks carried out by unmanned drones cruising across the border. On one hand, this is heartening as it signals, perhaps, an end to unfettered activity by extremists in the region. They are being pressured by numerous parties: local tribes who resent their taking over the area, Pakistani military and Nato forces from Afghanistan. The recent destruction of the Marriott Hotel was likely a direct result of Zardari's assumption of the presidency and the increase in anti-extremist activity on the part of the government. Clearly, the new government is between a rock and a hard place. Allowing the extremists to operate with impunity on the Afghan border will inevitably lead to incursions by Nato forces. Declaring all-out war on them may well bring still more terror to the streets of Pakistani cities. Zardari is treading a very thin line and falling on either side can bring dire consequences. But he has taken the initiative. At least six Taleban insurgents were killed as Pakistani troops pounded suspected militant hid-eouts in the troubled tribal district of Bajaur on the Afghan border, officials said Sunday. The artillery went into action late Saturday night targeting militants in Rashakai and Tang Khata towns in Bajaur, a hub of Taleban and Al-Qaeda linked militants, a security official said. Zardari has also called a joint session of parliament on Wednesday for a rare briefing from army and intelligence chiefs on the battle with extremists. He made the decision to hold the briefing at a meeting Saturday with the army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. __
