Appearing from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad & Quetta

Monday, October 19, 2009, Shawwal 29, 1930

Gen Petraeus, Kerry arrive

Tanvir Siddiqi

Islamabad—Head of the US Central Command General David Petraeus arrived here on Sunday for talks with Pakistani leadership on the ongoing major operation against the terrorists in South Waziristan.

Diplomatic observers say the US decision to send Gen Petraeus to Pakistan shows the importance Washington attaches to this operation in an area where hard core terrorists and foreign militants having links with Al-Qaeda are believed to be holed up in South Waziristan, where a full-fledged military operation continued for the second day.

In a related development, the US is rushing in equipment that would help with mobility, night fighting and precision bombing, while a senior military spokesman told reporters that the Pentagon was closely monitoring the operation.

Pentagon officials also said that Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had spoken to Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to the emphasise the continued US support.

US Senator John Kerry arrived here on Sunday on a two-day visit to Pakistan.

During his stay in the Federal capital he will meet Pakistani leadership and discuss reservations on Kerry Lugar Bill besides bilateral relations.

According to informed sources Senator John Kerry will be accompanied by senior US officials who will analyze the proposed schemes to be funded with the US aid coming to Pakistan under Kerry Lugar Bill.

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