Pakistan: The Death of a Rebel Leader

Pakistani security forces have killed Nawab Akbar Bugti, the top rebel leader in the country's restive Balochistan province. His death will significantly weaken the tribal-nationalist insurgency in the country, but not before a period of retaliatory violence. The killing is a major victory for Islamabad in terms of containing the insurgency, but it could spark a political backlash against the Musharraf government at a time when its two main opposition alliances are gearing up for a campaign to oust the general.