Date:04/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/04/stories/2008120455521300.htm

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We’ll fight against India, says Taliban

Islamabad: Pakistani Taliban commanders have offered their men and suicide bombers to fight alongside the armed forces in the event of hostilities. Militant commanders have called on Pakistan’s security establishment to end military operations against the Taliban in the tribal areas .

The Taliban leaders have issued statements saying they are not “anti-state” and are ready to “die for the motherland”. “We are fighting the Pakistan Army because it has launched operations in our tribal areas but we cannot allow India or any other power to invade our country,” said Qari Hussain, a top commander of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, in a statement.

Hussain, known for training suicide bombers, claimed an Indian attack would help the cause of the Taliban as it could force the Army to stop military action in the tribal areas and the Swat valley. — PTI