The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) has been active in the Pakistani tribal region since late 2001, where it reconstituted after sustaining heavy losses fighting alongside the Taliban during the US invasion of Afghanistan.
After years of targeting the Pakistani military and pro-government tribal elders, the IMU is now an increasingly active part of the insurgency in Afghanistan and has recently planned terrorist attacks in Europe. This new strategic orientation targeting coalition forces in Afghanistan and civilians in Europe instead of the Pakistani security establishment has made the IMU a much more dangerous organisation. The IMU are supporting the Taliban and have travelled from Afghanistan to the tribal area of Pakistan and to some parts of South Waziristan. This will only make the Taliban stronger than before, so they should be eliminated as soon as possible.
FARHAN KHALID
Islamabad
