Monday, April 27, 2009

Sri Lankan Tamil Protest In Toronto On Continuation Of War In Their Homeland

Sri Lankan Tamil Protest In Toronto On Continuation Of War In Their Homeland
(NSI News Source Info) April 27, 2009: A man chants on a microphone as Tamils demonstrate on a downtown street to protest against the political turmoil in Sri Lanka, in Toronto April 27, 2009.
Colombo dismissed an attempt on Sunday to declare a truce by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam rebels, who are now cornered in less than 10 sq km (4 sq miles) of coastline by a Sri Lankan military intent on ending a war that started in 1983.

British Forces With Information Exploitation (IE) Group In Afghanistan Have Upper Hand Fighting Taliban

British Forces With Information Exploitation (IE) Group In Afghanistan Have Upper Hand Fighting Taliban
(NSI News Source Info) April 27, 2009: Britain’s Royal Marines won the information war in Afghanistan during their recent deployment, by employing a new methodology. This was carried out by a combination combat and intelligence outfit, the Information Exploitation (IE) Group.
A handout photograph from the Royal marines shows members of 42 Commando during Operation Aabi Toorah (Blue Sword) in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. The Royal Marines announced that over 500 marines from 42 Commando Group, partnered with soldiers from the Afghan national Army have completed a month long operation into the southern-most regions of Helmand Province to gather intelligence and gain an understanding of an area previously little visited by ISAF troops.
This unit made outstanding progress in defeating the Taliban in Helmand province, largely due to accurate and timely information. Instead of operating alone, the Royal Marines, in an effort to enhance their information advantage, amalgamated their troops with elements from other allied nations and local Afghan security forces and formed an entirely new command called the Information Exploitation Group (IE). The results have been impressive Instead of concentrating on just human intelligence or electronic information gathering, the IE Group gathered, processed, and acted on information gathered through any available means in order to trick and defeat Taliban fighters. The formation combined unmanned UAVs, reconnaissance patrols, local security forces, and electronic warfare specialists to collect and develop a large picture of enemy dispositions in the province. The IE group was broken down into four major elements. The first was the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, a British Army combat unit that conducted aggressive offensives and patrolling against terrorist havens. The Afghan Territorial Force (ATF) was the Afghan National Army element working alongside the Marines, helping to better engage the local population and to gather intelligence. Any intelligence gathered was then sent to the Intelligence Section and Y Squadron, a group of electronic warfare experts and intelligence officers who then processed the information and told the Brigade Reconnaissance Force which tips to act on, based on credibility. The counterinsurgency groups’ success can be seen in the nine major operations conducted against the Taliban in Helmand during the current deployment, preventing weapons and fighters from moving in or out of the region and strangling the safe areas the militants have established. The group’s activities were not merely restricted to engaging the Taliban, but to countering narcotics cultivation and any other criminal threats in the region. On the counter-drug front, at least 10 tons of opium were seized along with 8 tons of cannabis. The unit just recently returned from its current deployment and there are plans to conduct more operations using Information Exploitation units in the future. The British realize that combat is only half the battle in Afghanistan. The other half is information, without which the enemy cannot be found or fixed. By establishing a compact unit that can gather intelligence, process intelligence, work with the local security forces, jam the Taliban’s communications, and engage in proactive and continuing offensives, the briagde's effectiveness is enhanced. The Royal Marines have made headlines with their successes in offensives during their latest deployments. The IE Group and the information it gathered from every source imaginable was a major contributor to their victories.

Lockheed Martin Supports 2009 National Security Agency Cyber Defense Exercise

Lockheed Martin Supports 2009 National Security Agency Cyber Defense Exercise
NSA, Service Academy Experts Test Advanced Tactics and Technologies for Cyber Security
(NSI News Source Info) Elkridge, Md. - April 27, 2009: Teams of cyber security experts from the National Security Agency (NSA) and the nation’s service academies squared off last week in one of the nation’s most expansive and sophisticated cyber “war games,” the Cyber Defense Exercise (CDX). Lockheed Martin hosted the CDX command center and network hub at its Elkridge facility for the week-long event. Lockheed Martin helped NSA establish a closed, secure network for the exercise, which links all the academies with CDX headquarters at the Lockheed Martin facility in Elkridge. The company is also providing technical support and expertise for CDX preparation and execution. This is the seventh year that Lockheed Martin is supporting and hosting the CDX. Lockheed Martin currently supports NSA and a number of defense and intelligence customers with a wide array of cyber security technology and services. In October, the corporation announced the opening of the new Center for Cyber Security Innovation (CCSI) in Gaithersburg, Md., the centerpiece of its company-wide efforts in cyber operations. The CCSI joins the Wireless Cyber Security Center in Hanover, Md., which focuses on testing and evaluating the next generation of wi-fi, cellular and satellite technologies. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 146,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2008 sales of $42.7 billion.

Novel Raytheon Computer To Play Key Role In Finding Tunnels And Land Mines

Novel Raytheon Computer To Play Key Role In Finding Tunnels And Land Mines
(NSI News Source Info) EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - April 27, 2009: The world's first computer to switch its form of architecture depending on the application will process data in a sensor Raytheon Company is building to detect and locate buried land mines and tunnels. According to Nick Uros, vice president for Raytheon's Advanced Concepts and Technology group, the Morphable Networked Micro-architecture device will perform superbly in the role because of massive computing resources that can be used simultaneously to process data rapidly. Other advantages are a capacity for a large volume of data and efficient use of energy. "Our MONARCH chip offers superior processing performance," Uros said. "It will ingest a vast amount of data from our sensor and process it with outstanding energy efficiency." Many processors have greater computing power but use too much energy or can't accommodate enough data for this purpose, he said. Consequently, a condition known as input-output data starvation becomes a problem. "That won't happen with MONARCH because of its balanced architecture," Uros said. Raytheon will use the MONARCH-equipped sensor on the Seismic and Acoustic Vibration Imaging program, administered by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The company is developing a sensor that will employ laser radar to find hidden targets by measuring ground-surface vibration. Algorithms (electronic instructions for calculation and processing) situated on the MONARCH chip and requiring substantial processing throughput will interpret the resulting data. Raytheon Company , with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Boeing P-8A Poseidon Successfully Completes 1st Flight

Boeing P-8A Poseidon Successfully Completes 1st Flight
(NSI News Source Info) SEATTLE - April 27, 2009: Boeing P-8A Poseidon test aircraft T-1 successfully completed its first flight April 25, taking off from Renton Field at 10:43 a.m. and touching down at Boeing Field in Seattle at 2:14 p.m.
The P-8A performed a series of flight checks, reached a maximum altitude of 25,000 feet, and landed after three hours, 31 minutes in the air. "This is a significant accomplishment for the P-8A team, as it moves us one step closer to delivering the next maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to the warfighter," said Capt. Mike Moran, P-8A program manager for the U.S. Navy.
The Boeing P-8A Poseidon completed a three-hour, 31-minute first flight on April 25, 2009. The aircraft is the U.S. Navy's newest anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Photo Credit: Boeing photo by Larry Trotter "Today's flight is a clear demonstration of the program's commitment to delivering this critical capability on time and the result of a tremendous effort by the joint Navy/Boeing team. I commend Boeing for putting its 'A-Team' in place on this program and enabling the Navy to leverage Boeing's experience, expertise and, more importantly, dedication to make this aircraft a reality." Prior to takeoff, the P-8A team completed a limited series of flight checks, including engine starts and shutdowns. During the flight, test pilots performed airborne systems checks including engine accelerations and decelerations, autopilot flight modes, and auxiliary power unit shutdowns and starts. "This is an exciting day for the P-8A program and a tribute to the hard work of the entire team," said Bob Feldmann, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager. "We understand the needs of the U.S. Navy and maritime patrol community, and we are dedicated to meeting every one of our future milestones on or ahead of plan." The integrated Navy/Boeing team will begin formal flight testing of the P-8A during the third quarter of this year. Before that, Boeing will paint the aircraft, install additional flight test instrumentation and conduct a series of ground tests. The P-8A, a derivative of the Next-Generation 737-800, is built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems and GE Aviation. The team currently is assembling and testing the first five P-8As. The Navy plans to purchase 108 P-8As to replace its fleet of P-3C aircraft. Initial operational capability is planned for 2013.

Singapore Navy Opens Information Fusion Centre At Changi Naval Base

Singapore Navy Opens Information Fusion Centre At Changi Naval Base
(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - April 27, 2009: The Singapore Navy has inaugurated the Information Fusion Centre (IFC) at the Changi Naval Base. The IFC centre was previously located on an interim basis at the Tuas Naval Base. Singapore Navy opens Information Fusion Centre at Changi Naval Base. Chief of Navy, Rear—Admiral Chew Men Leong, who officiated at the inauguration ceremony on Monday said: "Since the interim IFC was set up in March 2008, we have had several encouraging incidents which bear testimony to the value of such (information—sharing) partnership." He cited examples such as the MT Kraton, a ship hijacked in Indonesia in 2007. He revealed that information shared among Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore led to successful rescue of the ship. The IFC centre is part of the Changi Command and Control Centre or Changi C2 centre. When fully operational next year, the C2 Centre will become a one—stop information and response coordination hub for Singapore’s maritime security. It will also serve as a key node in the region’s information sharing network. Navies from regional groupings such as the Western Pacific Naval Symposium Regional Maritime Information Exchange and Malacca Straits Patrols have been invited by the Singapore Navy to attach International Liaison Officers at the IFC. Besides the Information Fusion Centre, the C2 Centre will house the Singapore Maritime Security Centre and the Multi—national Operations and Exercises Centre. — CNA/vm

Pakistan Intelligence Believes Osama bin Laden Is Dead: President Asif Ali Zardari

Pakistan Intelligence Believes Osama bin Laden Is Dead: President Asif Ali Zardari
GEO Pakistan
(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD - April 27, 2009: President Asif Ali Zardari said Monday that Pakistani intelligence believes Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden is dead but acknowledged they had no evidence.
"The Americans tell me they don't know, and they are much more equipped than us to trace him. And our own intelligence services obviously think that he does not exist any more, that he is dead," Zardari told reporters.
"But there is no evidence, you cannot take that as a fact," he said. "We are between facts and fiction."
Zardari was responding to reports that Pakistani Taliban in the troubled Swat valley have said they would welcome bin Laden if he wants to visit the former Pakistani hill resort which is now in the hands of Taliban.
"The question is whether he is alive or dead. There is no trace of him," the president said.

Could The Taliban Get The Bomb Before Iran Does?

Could The Taliban Get The Bomb Before Iran Does?
(NSI News Source Info) April 27, 2009: Just when you thought you knew the unthinkable - now there's this:
"If the worst, the unthinkable, were to happen, and this advancing Taliban encouraged and supported by Al Qaeda and other extremists were to essentially topple the government for failure to beat them back," Hillary Clinton said at the weekend, "then they would have the keys to the nuclear arsenal of Pakistan." The Sunni organization's stunning momentum of late in taking over key territory in Pakistan raises the question, could the Taliban have a bomb before Tehran does?
The nightmare scenario of a nuclear Taliban was much in evidence in a Sunday editorial in The New York Times regarding the Pakistani military.
"And - most frightening of all - if the army cannot or will not defend its own territory against the militants, how can anyone be sure it will protect Pakistan?s 60 or so nuclear weapons?" the Times asked. Clinton was right, the Times continued, when she warned last week that Pakistan was 'abdicating to the Taliban.'"
Here in Israel - in the eerie interregnum between air raid sirens last week marking the memorial day for victims of the Holocaust and air raid sirens this week marking the memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism - the specter of a atom-packing Taliban lends an unaccustomed measure of uncharted territory to the all-too-familiar domain of the unthinkable. In fact, as heavily as the prospect of catastrophe weighs during this period, Israelis may take a measure of cold comfort in the extent to which the Taliban relates to the Jewish state.
It doesn't.
Perhaps alone of all radical Islamic movements, the Taliban has taken no interest in Israel. It makes no pronouncements, threatens no annihilation, it has launched no campaigns to organize in the West Bank and Gaza.
Were they to take over Pakistan, they would lack delivery systems capable of reaching Israel, even if for some reason they decided on such a course.
Nonetheless, for some reason that goes beyond reason, I've decided to clean out our bomb shelter anyway. Perhaps because a Taliban bomb might convince Tehran to redouble its own long-delayed efforts at achieving a nuclear capability. Or because a bomb in Pakistan could be moved to a neighboring country with delivery capabilities.
Or because a hardline coalition legislator has suggested that the Taliban threat is one of the best reasons yet to unilaterally and pre-emptively bomb Iran. "If we take this action," Yaakov Katz of the far-right National Union party was quoted as saying on Sunday, "the U.S. is likely to act the same way against the rising terror threat in Islamabad, Pakistan."
Or maybe it's because, at a time of serial unthinkabilities, a prepared shelter is just one less thing to have to think about.

Turkey Hopes To Buy S-400 Air Defense Systems From Russia

Turkey Hopes To Buy S-400 Air Defense Systems From Russia
(NSI News Source Info) ISTANBUL - April 27, 2009: Turkey, a NATO member, has expressed interest in buying S-400 Triumf air defense systems from Russia, a Russian defense industry official said on Monday. "Turkey has expressed a strong interest in buying S-400 air defense systems from Russia," said Anatoly Aksenov, a senior adviser to the general director of Russian arms export monopoly Rosoboronexport. The S-400 Triumf is a new generation air defense system developed primarily by the Almaz Central Design Bureau as an upgrade of the S-300 family. Jane's Information Group has reported that the S-400 may have been a joint development between Russia and the People's Republic of China, though this has not been confirmed. The Chinese designation for the system is HQ-19. The S-400's NATO reporting name is SA-21 Growler, and the system was previously known as S-300PMU-3. It overshadows the capabilities of the other systems from the S-300 series, and its range is claimed to be at least two times greater than that of the MIM-104 Patriot system. Russian sources have claimed the S-400 is capable of detecting and engaging targets out to a range of 400 km (250 miles), including aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, including those with a range of 3,500 km and a speed of 4.5 km/s. It has also been claimed that the S-400 is capable of detecting and engaging stealth aircraft. Russia is exhibiting over 120 types of weaponry at the IDEF 2009 arms show in Istanbul on April 27-30. The biennial exhibition has been organized by the Turkish defense industry since 1993. Aksenov, who leads the Russian delegation at the IDEF 2009 exhibition, said the possible deliveries of the S-400 to Turkey were discussed during talks with Turkey's undersecretary for defense industries, Murad Bayar. A source in the Russian delegation later told RIA Novosti that the issue had a political aspect and strongly depended on the outcome of the ongoing dispute between Russia and NATO on the deployment of a U.S. missile shield in central Europe. "We have explained to Turkish officials that S-400 is not just a simple air defense system but an element of strategic missile defenses, which can be placed in one country but protect the airspace over a number of neighboring countries," the source said. The S-400 Triumf (SA-21 Growler) is designed to intercept and destroy airborne targets at a distance of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles), twice the range of the U.S. MIM-104 Patriot, and 2 1/2 times that of Russia's S-300PMU-2. The system is also believed to be able to destroy stealth aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles, and is effective at ranges up to 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) and speeds up to 4.8 kilometers (3 miles) per second.

F-35B Exceeds STOVL Thrust Requirement

F-35B Exceeds STOVL Thrust Requirement
(NSI News Source Info) April 27, 2009: The F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant has demonstrated during testing that it produces excess vertical thrust – more than required to carry out its missions.
The tests, conducted on a specially instrumented “hover pit,” also validated the performance of aircraft software, controls, thermal management, STOVL-system hardware and other systems.
The F-35B Lightning II tethered to a specially instrumented hover pit with its powerful engine running, tests its propulsion system in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode on May 25th, 2008 at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas.
“The performance level measured was absolutely exceptional,” said J.D. McFarlan, Lockheed Martin F-35 Air Vehicle lead. “We demonstrated 41,100 pounds of vertical thrust against our requirement of 40,550 pounds.This means we will deliver excellent margin for the vertical landing and short takeoff performance we’ve committed to our STOVL customers,” he said. Those customers include the U.S. Marine Corps, the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and the Italian Navy and Air Force.
The F-35B is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney F135 engine driving a Rolls-Royce lift fan. The F135 is the most powerful engine ever flown in a jet fighter.
During hover-pit testing, the aircraft is anchored to a metal grate 14 feet above a sloped concrete floor, separating the jet from ground effect and enabling it to simulate free-air flight. Sensors measure thrust and the aircraft’s response to pilot inputs. The testing also demonstrates control of the doors associated with the STOVL propulsion system: engine auxiliary inlet, fan inlet, fan exit, roll posts, and doors that open to enable the Rolls-Royce three-bearing swivel duct to articulate and vector engine thrust.
The testing demonstrates functional operation of all systems required for vertical flight, and measures the installed forces and moments on the aircraft during STOVL operations.
The hover-pit tests are the final series of ground tests before airborne STOVL testing begins.
“We've demonstrated critical performance such as inlet pressure recovery, pitching moment, rolling and yawing moment, effective vector angles of the exhaust, and control-input response time,” said Doug Pearson, vice president of the F-35 Integrated Test Force. “Each of these measurements correlates extremely well with our computer models. The outstanding STOVL performance gives us plenty of confidence to begin in-flight transitions to STOVL-mode flight and ultimately our first vertical landing at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., this summer.”
There are still some concerns for the U.S. Navy on how amphibious vessels will handle the new aircraft. According to quotes in a recent Inside the Navy story, “At the end of the hover pit cycle, we’re going to plate over a portion of it to start getting some of the downwash data on the hover pit. We’ll also collect thermal data at the same time to see if there should be any concern relative to what temperature environment I might induce on the decks, on ships, on asphalt, et cetera, to see if there’s a thermal issue relative to steel plate heating on the amphibs.”
"Navy officials have expressed concern that the powerful, high-temperature downwash caused by the STOVL’s lift fan could damage ships’ antennas and radars stationed in the rear, as the aircraft is more powerful than legacy AV-8B Harriers."
The U.S. Marine Corps is scheduled for initial operating capability (IOC) with the F-35B in 2012. Currently there is only two percent of the F-35 flight testing that is complete. The service intends to re-capitalize their whole fighter force with F-35B's.

Embraer's Phenom 100 Executive Jet Certified By EASA

Embraer's Phenom 100 Executive Jet Certified By EASA
(NSI News Source Info) São José dos Campos - April 27, 2009: Embraer’s Phenom 100 entry level executive jet was certified, today, by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), for day and night operations – Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), ReducedVertical Separation Minimum (RVSM), and flight into known icing conditions.
Aviation technicians prepare a prototype of the new Embraer Phenom 100 executive jet for a test flight on the runway at Embraer's factory in Gaviao Peixoto, 270 kms (168 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo, in this January 18, 2008 file photo. The Phenom 100 is the first of two new executive jets from the Brazilian manufacturer that will take to the skies in the next two years. Embraer has already received over 700 orders for the Phenom 100 and the slightly larger Phenom 300, making it a major player in the booming business jet market. Picture taken January 18, 2008.
The aircraft was also certified by the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil – ANAC) and by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), last December. “We are honored to receive EASA certification for the Phenom 100 on schedule, confirming the aircraft has met orsurpassed all original specification targets, and opening the way for the first deliveries in the European Union,” said Maurício Almeida Filho, Embraer Vice President, Programs – Executive Jets.
“Embraer is committed to making quality products for the executive jet market, offering them with full certification, and technical and maintenance support.” “The Phenom 100 is the first executive jet in its category where the full certification process fell under the responsibility of EASA.
Aviation is an international business and this project has once more proven that our common goal is to increase safety. We thank the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency and Embraer for their enthusiasm and accuracy,” said Dr. Norbert Lohl, EASA’s Certification Director. Some of the capabilities of the aircraft were exceeded, including a maximum cruising speed of 390 knots (True Air Speed – TAS), 10 knots faster than promised, and fuel consumption up to 3.6% better than initial estimates. External noise levels enjoy a 33 EPNdB (Effective Perceived Noise in Decibels) margin over the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) stage IV requirements.
The longest interval between scheduled maintenance – 600 FH (Flight Hours) or 12 months – gives the Phenom 100 a huge advantage over competitors by requiring only five scheduled maintenance stops in five years.
Takeoff and climb performance is also better than expected. The baggage compartment that was the largest in the category became even larger, gaining 8 cubic feet (227 liters), from 45 cubic feet (1,274 liters) to 53 cubic feet (1,501 liters).

Boeing Wins $142M For CH-47F Lot 7 Production / Pentagon Contract Announcement

Boeing Wins $142M For CH-47F Lot 7 Production / Pentagon Contract Announcement (NSI News Source Info) April 27, 2009: The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa. was awarded on Apr. 21, 2009 a $ 141,962,130 firm fixed-price contract for CH-47F multiyear contract for second year, production lot 7, Seven (7) each CH-47F new-build aircraft. The Chinook is a multi-mission, heavy-lift transport helicopter. Its primary mission is to move troops, artillery, ammunition, fuel, water, barrier materials, supplies and equipment on the battlefield. Its secondary missions include medical evacuation, disaster relief, search and rescue, aircraft recovery, fire fighting, parachute drops, heavy construction and civil development. Chinook helicopters were introduced in 1962 as the CH-47 Chinook, and models A, B and C were deployed in Vietnam. As the product of a modernization program, which included refurbishing existing CH-47s, the first CH-47Ds were delivered in 1982 and were produced until 1994. A central element in the Gulf War, they continue to be the standard for the U.S. Army in the global campaign against terrorism. Since its introduction 1,179 Chinooks have been built. For more information, read the CH-47D, CH-47F and MH-47G (PDF) overviews. Work is to be performed in Ridley Park, Pa with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. One bid was solicited and one bid received. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Aviation and Missiles, CCAM-CH-A, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-08-C-0098).

Taliban Commander Confirmed Dead In Pakistan's Military Offensive

Taliban Commander Confirmed Dead In Pakistan's Military Offensive
(NSI News Source Info) ISLAMABAD - April 27, 2009: A senior Taliban commander has been confirmed dead in the military offensive by Pakistan's security forces on Sunday in a northwestern district, local television reported Monday. "Maulana Shahid is confirmed to be killed in the military operation," Dawn TV channel quoted Taliban sources as saying. Local resident examine a damaged government girls school which was wrecked by militants with explosives on outskirt of Bannu, a town near Pakistani tribal areas along Afghanistan border, Saturday, April 25, 2009. Pakistani security forces are engaged with militants and Taliban in the northern Pakistan. Pakistan's military on Sunday launched an operation against the Taliban in Lower Dir district of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) hours after militants ambushed an army convoy and killed a soldier. The military operation had killed 26 militants, according to a military statement. One soldier was also killed in the operation. The Taliban commander Maulana Shahid is among the dead, who is said to be in charge of Lower Dir district. The operation began amid the spiraling concerns about the security situation of the nuclear-armed country when Taliban militants are spreading their influence in the northwestern region. Lower Dir is one of the districts of NWFP's Malakand division, where Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari had signed a regulation introducing Sharia, or Islamic law, after February's peace deal. But critics have said that the deal has surrendered the writ of the state to terrorists, and invites the terrorists to extend their sway to other areas of the country. Pakistani Taliban fighters sit in the back of a truck with their weapons in Buner, about 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Islamabad April 24, 2009. A Pakistani Taliban commander withdrew his fighters from a key northwestern valley on Friday, amid growing alarm in the United States that the Taliban were creeping closer to the capital of nuclear-armed Pakistan. Taliban militants infiltrated into Buner district, only about 100 kilometers away from the capital Islamabad, from adjourning Swat valley last week, sparking fears among local people. "The government has no option but to take action against Taliban," said Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik on Sunday. In the meanwhile, a spokesman for Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM), whose chief Sufi Mohammed brokered the Taliban peace deal, said the operation by the security forces in Lower Diris a violation of the peace deal, adding that "the government is responsible for the damage".