Pakistan launches offensive in Swat on day of trilateral talks with U.S.

Well this is likely to come up in President Obama’s trilateral meeting today with as Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan President President Hamid Karzai. The Associated Press is reporting that Pakistan has launched a military offensive against Taliban insurgents in the Swat Valley and Buner.

From the AP:

The latest actions will please Washington, which is urging Pakistan to crack down on militants blamed for rising violence at home and in Afghanistan.

Since fighting broke out Tuesday, thousands of men, women and children have fled Swat’s main town of Mingora and surrounding districts, fearing an imminent major military operation. The government said it believes refugees could reach 500,000.

The offensive marks the end of a three month truce between the Pakistani government and the Taliban over the region. The U.S. has urged Pakistan to crack down on the region and, as the AP notes, will likely find this welcome news.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com