Returning to Pakistan, the army says that its operations in the Swat Valley are nearing their end. The roll-up has been quick, as a Pakistani spokesman explained:
"In the north -- Bhia valley -- the last stronghold of terrorists has been fully secured and in the west, area of Shamozai is being cleared," he said, adding search operations were continuing in the secured areas to ensure they are safe for the return of millions of people displaced by the months-long campaign.
Abbas said security forces had so far killed 1,592 terrorists and up to 70 more had been arrested. The figures could not be independently confirmed.
The military is now moving into South Waziristan in order to, they state, choke and destroy the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. At face value, the army in Pakistan appears to have decided that the new grouping was a major internal threat to the state and decided to liquidate a competitor.