With the Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) recapturing areas in Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and abducting scores of Pak army personnel post the killing of Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, the Pakistan army is planning to carry out air raids on the Balochs to check rebellion in its ranks.
The TTP, dominated by the Afghan origin Pashtuns, has launched Operation Al Badr to target the Pakistani security forces and reoccupy territory in Swat in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan.
The issue of the possible airstrike was discussed by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa with the British authorities during his visit for the passing out parade of the British army, said prominent security analysts.
The issue of carrying out air raids on the Baloch liberation fighters has gained currency following the killing of a Lt Gen Sarfaraj Ali when the Baloch fighters hit a military helicopter in which he was travelling, reports said.
Since the air raids on the Balochs invite criticism from the Western world, the Pakistani establishment is seeking to preempt such moves by taking up the issue with the British authorities, the analysts said.
Earlier, the US had relied on the Pakistan army for its war n terror but Islamabad had sheltered then Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden for over a decade after he masterminded in the twin tower attacks in Ney York that took a toll of 3,000 in 2001.