Pakistani Taliban bruised but unbowed

More than eight years after the initial invasion of Afghanistan overthrew the Taleban regime in Kabul, their counterparts in Pakistan remain active. The most recent proof of this came on February 3 when a suicide bomber killed at least seven people near a girl's school in north-western Pakistan. Three American soldiers, in the area to train Pakistani armed forces, were among the dead. Tehrik-e-Taleban-e-Pakistan, TTP, arguably the strongest and most high profile insurgent group in the country, claimed responsibility for the attack, which they said was in revenge for United States military drone strikes. American operations against Islamists in the area continue. In January 2010, a US drone strike targeted the TTP's leader, Hakimullah Mehsud. A local tribal leader reported that Mehsud had been killed, although this was denied by the TTP. But despite these efforts, and the Pakistan army actions against the TTP in South Waziristan, the Taleban continues to mount attacks and may even be growing in strength.