The NATO along with the Obama Administration bend over backwards in their efforts to apologize to the Pakistani government for the death of three Pakistani soldiers in a NATO drone attack at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. After the death of the soldiers, Pakistan had closed the supply route at Torkham. A joint investigation conducted by the NATO and Pakistani officials concluded that it was a regrettable mistake and that the Pakistani soldiers had simply fired shots in warning after hearing the helicopter engaged in battle so close by. Officials implied that this could have been avoided had there been better coordination between the Allied forces and the Pakistani military forces.
The officials feel that the closure of supply route led to the buildup of a long queue of supply trucks waiting for the reopening of the route and that this would make them an easy target for the Taliban attacks.
The profuse apologies offered by the American officials was with an intention of clearing the air of any negative feelings and to continue ensuring Pakistan’s cooperation in the fight against the Taliban
Anti Pakistan and anti Taliban feelings have been growing in the U.S. following the verdict of Faizal Shahzad, the Times Square bomber. This has, in turn, led to American pressure on the Pakistan to show active participation in the crack down of the terrorist groups. However, the Pakistani government has been showing increasing reluctance to take part in any military engagements that puts them in a position of direct conflict with the Afghan Taliban or the Al-Qaeda. The picture given was that of and ineffective civilian government.
Gen. David H. Petraeus has been increasing the Special Operations Raids to as many as a dozen a night while also putting subtle pressure on the Pakistani military forces to pursue the militants in the tribal border area. He is also pressing the CIA to increase the drone attacks.
