Pakistan Routs Taliban Forces in Major Offensive

Pakistan blasted suspected militant hideouts today, launching its biggest offensive against Taliban forces since electing a government last March. The military cleared three militant outposts and forced the insurgents west, CNN reports. For weeks, tensions have mounted between militants and Islamabad, which abandoned its diplomatic strategy as insurgent strikes increased.

“Peace cannot be brought with force and aggression,” said the Taliban leader in Pakistan. “This will be very unfortunate for the Pakistani nation if fighting starts again.” Baitullah Mehsud added that he would suspend peace talks with the government, the AP reports. But the Pentagon hopes Pakistan’s efforts will curb violence in neighboring Afghanistan, where security is “fragile.” (More Pakistan stories.)