Pakistan's Crisis Continues

Pakistanis in the Taliban infested areas of South Warizistan claim that US helicopters and soldiers attacked targets and captured terrorists/Taliban. There are several accounts of the attack:

The initial report from a Geo TV correspondent indicated the casualties were taken after US helicopters launched missiles at three homes in the Barmal area of Angorada late at night.

The report later changed when the correspondent claimed the helicopters landed and troops dismounted, who then began searching homes. One witness told The Associated Press that "American and Afghan soldiers starting firing" on one family outside of their home. Soldiers then entered the home and others, and killed fifteen people, including women and children. The raid was reported to have occurred in the village of Musa Nikow.

The Pakistani military confirmed an attack occurred in the region, AP reported but did not provide details. Two anonymous Pakistani intelligence officials said the attack occurred, and claimed 19 were killed. The US military in Afghanistan said its forces were not involved, and the US embassy in Pakistan did not comment.

Since Musharraf has been sidelined, the tempo of attacks against the Taliban and al Qaeda in the NWFP and Warizistan have increased. That would help explain why the latest assassination attempt, this time against the Pakistani Prime Minister, occurred.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was not in the car at the time of the attack on the main road from the airport in Islamabad.

The motorcade was on its way to pick him up after he landed back in the capital following a trip to the eastern city of Lahore.

His vehicle was hit by at least two bullets. That's following an assassination attempt against US diplomat Lynne Tracy, while heading to her office in Peshawar.