Pakistani Army Says Taliban Violated Peace Deal in Swat

Pakistan's military on Sunday accused the Taliban of "gross violation" of a peace accord covering a large segment of its northwest after several acts of violence over the weekend.The allegations came as the northwest province's government said it was fulfilling its end of the deal by establishing an Islamic appellate court for the area, though a cleric mediating the pact rejected the panel.The developments underscored the ambivalence in Pakistan's government over how best to tackle militancy in its regions bordering Afghanistan. It is a topic that will come up when Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari meets with President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a visit to Washington later this week.Under the peace deal struck in February, the government agreed to impose Islamic law in the Swat Valley and surrounding areas that make up the Malakand Division. The pact appeared to embolden the Taliban in Swat, who soon entered the adjacent Buner district.Critics including the U.S. have cast the peace deal as a surrender. It is of particular concern to American officials, who worry Swat will turn into a haven for militants near Afghanistan, where U.S. and NATO troops are battling an increasingly virulent insurgency.Over the past week, the Pakistani military has gone on the offensive to push the Taliban out of Buner, just 60 miles from Islamabad. An army statement Sunday said 80 militants had been killed so far along with three soldiers. An important local commander was believed to be among the dead militants, the statement said.The dangerous nature of the area makes independent verification of the army statement near impossible.Pushing the Taliban out of Buner does not mean the army is willing to try to oust them from their Swat Valley stronghold, even though its statement on Sunday took a harsh stance toward the weekend incidents in Swat.The army accused militants of looting a bank and said security forces discovered at least three explosives-laden vehicles apparently intended for suicide attacks.