There have been instances of Taliban taking over villages and imposing their diktats for a few days and then being repulsed by NATO or Coalition Forces. The conventional method of fighting directed at capturing territory is what is worrying with the Gilzai tribe — traditional cadre of Taliban — in the South and South-East being most active.

The attacks are currently concentrated in Kandahar and Helmand provinces. They have increased in the past few months after the 4,500 US troops were replaced by NATO led forces.

The psychological effect of US troops leaving the place, sources say, is visible in the kind of bold attacks launched by Taliban forces.

The reasons:

• NATO Forces have different rules of engagement that allow for more defensive combat than being pro-active in going after Taliban positions.

• The expanding base in Pakistan (around Quetta) has given opportunity to reorganise and plan.’

• The provincial reconstruction teams, also comprising NATO forces, are guided more by national policy of the respective country than by the NATO/ISAF doctrine.

• Record poppy cultivation has encouraged the drug economy that lies at the heart of Taliban’s funding strategy.

There is no doubt in India that Taliban will get bolder and try to execute more ambitious plans in the South. And while this is imminent, grounds are being prepared in Pakistan’s Waziristan area from where troops would be withdrawn under the agreement worked out by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

... contd.