Rahimullah Yousafzai, the respected expert on Afghanistan and Pashtun affairs, told rediff.com, "Pakistan claims it has recovered Indian weaponry and medicines from South Waziristan. But I don't believe such reports. There are no such links between India and the Taliban. Even if India supports militancy, it is not foolish enough to leave the evidence."

"In fact," Shahzad adds, "after the Mumbai terror attacks last year, senior Pakistani security officials described Baitullah Mehsud and Mullah Fazlullah as Pakistan's assets while briefing foreign journalists. That was published in all the national newspapers. Hence, calling those militants Indian agents is just propaganda, which is essential during such military operations."

Asked if the anti-India propaganda campaign in South Waziristan is a ploy to divert attention from the Mumbai attacks, Shahzad adds, "This is simply an exercise to motivate their men to fight against militants. The Pakistan army is trained to fight against India. Only now are they being asked to fight an enemy which was previously its ally."

"Claims about India's involvement are aimed at boosting the Taliban's overall image in Pakistan," Dr Siddiqa adds. "Such news will convey the impression that the Taliban is not behind the violence. This is indeed a good public relations exercise. It is also a signal from the Pakistan army to the Taliban that while Islamabad will fight forces which want to damage the Pakistani State, it is not generally against the Taliban."

However, sources tracking the Taliban indicate, "The militants are actually withdrawing from some key areas as part of their strategy. In fact, it is a trap -- letting the army in and then beginning a guerilla war."