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EYE ON PESHAWAR (6#) -

Several European Muslim converts of Scottish, British and Norwegian origin have moved into the suburbs of Peshawar in recent months, according to local police officials; the allegiances of these new strangers are still unknown.

Meanwhile, several hundred extra police are said to have been transferred into the area on high alert, and NWFP Governor Owais Ghani is keeping close tabs on the situation there.

The city is described by many to be on edge, but it has been for some time, as noted on this blog Thurs Jun 19th. And the government of Pakistan is jealous of its sovereignty. Thus, the atmosphere in the area is tense.

A worrisome development noted
by UK Times reporter Zahid Hussain:

"senior security officials said that militants, who now control the region’s main arterial roads, were in a position to cut off communications at will."

His article makes for compelling reading.

"The city is virtually under siege, with militants sitting just on the city's outskirts," one senior government official said.

:: Editorial: "Problem Number One" - Whose war is it?

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