After Taliban, ulema pledge to support Pak Army against India

Islamabad, Dec 26 (ANI): The ulema (religious scholars) will set aside their internal differences and stand by Pakistan's armed forces if India imposes war.

Mufti Muneebur Rehman, chairman of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, said India would get nothing out of an imposed war except blood and destruction.

He urged the United Nations and the world community to advise India to be reasonable.

Addressing a press conference after a meeting of ulema from different sects with Interior Adviser Rehman Malik, Mufti Muneeb said Pakistan had been the worst target of terrorism in the current decade and appealed to the ulema to promote sectarian harmony in their sermons in the coming days.

Earlier, Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban and accused of assassinating Benazir Bhutto, said he'd back the government if war breaks out with India.

Baitullah promised that the Taliban would to send "thousands of our well-armed militants" and hundreds of suicide bombers to Pakistan's eastern border with India "to fight alongside the army if any war is imposed on Pakistan."

He also said the suicide bombers are being equipped with their suicide vests. Baitullah's call to support the military validates the long-standing Pakistani strategy of establishing strategic depth--supporting the Taliban and jihadi groups--to oppose India. (ANI)