'Pakistan Militants Strengthen In Heartland', The Associated Press, 23 March 2009
EXCERPT: "Authorities say militant groups in Punjab are increasingly sending out fighters to Afghanistan and the border region, adding teeth to an insurgency spreading across Pakistan that has stirred fears about the country's stability and the safety of its nuclear weapons. The horse-riding facility, discovered by The Associated Press during a visit to this impoverished region where miles of dusty, wind-swept desert spread out in all directions, had never before been seen by journalists. There, would-be jihadi fighters practice martial arts, archery and horse-riding skills and get religious instruction, according to a former member of Jaish-e-Mohammed, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not want to be identified by ex-comrades or authorities. Horse-riding is considered by many extremists to be especially merit-worthy because the pursuit is referenced in Islamic teachings on jihad."
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See also:
'Hardcore Taliban using more insidious tactics in Kandahar', The Canadian Press, 24 March 2009
'Turkey to host Afghan, Pakistan leaders', Hurriyet, 24 March 2009
'Recognize terror challenge within Pakistan: India to US', The Hindu, 24 March 2009
'Afghanistan will not change unless Pakistan does: Holbrooke', The Times of India, 23 March 2009
'Expanding strikes in Pakistan may threaten aid and engagement', The Weekly Standard, 23 March 2009
Related posts:
'Afghanistan says Kabul strikes planned in Pakistan', 18 March 2009
'Security up at porous Afghan border', 12 February 2009
'Leaked report links Pakistan to Taliban', 2 October 2008
'"Taliban sanctuary bases in Pakistan must be eliminated"', 9 June 2008
'Pakistan's elected government unable to deal with Taliban groups', 13 May 2008
