President Pervez Musharraf has blamed a group of more than 200 soldiers for their capture by pro-Taleban militants in tribal areas of the country. "I think they acted unprofessionally in that they were trying to clear a road block without taking any precautionary measures."
The President was speaking in an exclusive BBC interview with its correspondent Owen Bennett Jones Friday in Rawalpindi. He said the troops, kidnapped in August in South Waziristan near Afghan border, should have made sure "they occupied the heights and dominated the position" before they did anything else. The soldiers were captured without firing a shot. The militants told BBC that authorities have shown "minimal interest" in getting soldiers released.
But General Musharraf said the authorities were using a combination of negotiation and force: "We have to deal from a position of strength. I think we will come to a solution."
Over last four years about 1,000 Pakistani security personnel have been killed fighting militants in or near Waziristan. "I wouldn't say that I am fully satisfied with the operation," he said. "I am not. I am not satisfied. It is working partially (but) we need to do better."
He also spoke about planned return next Thursday of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto who since 1999 has been living in London and Dubai in self-imposed exile.
"I have sent messages that she should delay her return," Musharraf said. Asked if he would try to prevent her return if she ignored his advice, he said: "No, that is not the case, but I would urge her not to."
Benazir Bhutto now feels it is safe to return because General Musharraf has promulgated so-called National Reconciliation Ordinance dropping corruption charges against her and other politicians.
She still faces some risks. Supreme Court could strike down the Ordinance as unconstitutional. There is also issue of time period (1986-1999) covered by Ordinance. Some of allegations against Bhutto relate to events after 1999. Authorities have in past accused her of involvement in oil-for-food scandal.
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