Security forces targeting Mehsud's network with 'precision': Malik

Islamabad, July 23 (ANI): The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud's terror network is being targeted with 'precision' by the security forces, Interior Advisor Rehman Malik has said.

Malik said Pakistan is determined to crush the Taliban and would soon eliminate Mehsud.

In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, Malik said the government may initiate military operation in all insurgency-hit areas in the country to pressurize the Taliban.

"The government is determined to combat the Taliban and to put an end to terrorism. If we don't do it now, it will spread to the whole of the region and exacerbate the threat for the whole world," The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying.

Commenting on the Swat offensive, he said the operation enjoyed full backing of the people.

Malik blamed the previous military regimes for the current turbulent situation of the country saying they had often supported militancy.

"We have decided to be transparent and to respond to terrorism with democracy. Dictatorships have too often favoured terrorism," he said.

Replying to a query about cooperation with Afghanistan in the 'war on terror', Malik said both Islamabad and Kabul were surrounded by a common enemy, so they must have a common policy to tackle the issue.

"It is urgent that we control the border. Thirty-five thousand Afghans and Pakistanis cross it without a visa or a passport. We have set up biometrics checkpoints," he added. (ANI)