THE HARD PART IS GETTING THEM TO FIGHT:

Pakistan army dispatched to halt holy war (MUNIR AHMAD, 7/15/07, Scotland on Sunday)

THOUSANDS of troops were deployed to Pakistan's northwestern frontier to try to dissuade outlawed Islamic militants from launching a holy war against the government for its bloody attack on a radical mosque. [...]

The region along Afghanistan's border has seen increased activity by both local militants, the Taliban and, according to a recent US assessment, al-Qaeda.

"With help from local tribal elders, we are trying to ensure militants lay down their arms and stop issuing calls for jihad against the government," said a senior military official.

He said there were no immediate plans for combat operations against Maulana Fazlullah, a radical cleric who has pressed for the imposition of Taliban-style rule in Pakistan, much like the leaders of the Red Mosque.

Pakistan troops overran the Islamabad mosque last Wednesday, following an eight-day siege with a hard-line cleric and his militant supporters that left more than 100 dead.

Fazlullah, who has close links to the outlawed Movement for the Enforcement of Islamic Law, told supporters to prepare for jihad, or holy war, against President General Pervez Musharaff for the assault, the official said.