Pakistani Awakening?

Are we beginning to see the fruit of years of Taliban violence, which has intensified in recent months coming to a head with Pakistani locals rising up to fight the Taliban on their own turf? It is a distinct possibility, and I'd say it is cautiously good news.

Just as there was the Anbar Awakening in Iraq - locals getting tired of Iraqi insurgents and their al Qaeda coreligionists attempting to impose their Islamist worldview on a group of people who were initially open to the idea but who rejected the idea after all the violence against those who didn't conform to the Islamist ideals, Pakistan may be setting up for a similar showdown.

The Pakistani military is supporting the militia, or "lashkar," in Upper Dir district on the request of local officials and tribal elders, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas told CNN.

Outraged over a suicide attack on a local mosque during Friday prayers, about 400 residents formed the militia early Saturday and began battling Taliban militants. The attack on the anti-Taliban mosque killed at least 40 people and wounded 80 others.

The militia has surrounded Taliban fighters in Shat Kas, a village where the Taliban have local support, according to officials in the Upper Dir district. The Taliban have dug into bunkers and are putting up a strong resistance, he said.

The fighting marks the first major battle between the residents of northwest Pakistan and Taliban militants.

At least 14 Taliban had been killed and four villagers had been wounded as of Sunday evening, according to local administrator Atif-ur-Rehman.

The militia has burned houses thought to be sheltering the militants, and both the militia and Taliban fighters are using heavy weapons, including rocket launchers and anti-aircraft weapons, Rehman said.

Pakistani military helicopters were called in Monday and Tuesday to strike Taliban positions from the air, local officials said. Abbas confirmed that the gunships were used to shell specific militant targets in Upper Dir, on the request of local officials.

There is a long history of Taliban presence in the area, including foreign fighters in leadership roles, local officials said.

Faster please.