Soldiers joining the rebels in Pakistan

Soldiers do rebel and they do overthrow governments. Pakistan has a long history of soldiers overthrowing their governments and leaders, whether civilian or military. And elsewhere in the world.

A Thai welcoming an army coup

A Portuguese soldier who rebelled during the Carnation Revolution

Soldiers do rebel, this time in Sudan

Rebel Mexican soldiers

Ivory Coast rebel soldiers

Rebel soldiers in Afghanistan (Masud's men!)

And now we hear reports that the Frontier Corps of the Pakistani Army are refusing to fight the Taliban because they think the Taliban are their brothers. Some quotes: (specially read the highlighted bits)

According to well placed military sources in Islamabad, those mediating for the release of over 300 soldiers of Pakistan Army, taken hostage by the Taliban back militants in South Waziristan Agency three weeks ago, had actually surrendered voluntarily as they were not ready to fight against their fellow Muslim brothers.
Quoting one of the 26 surrendered soldiers soldier from paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC), who were released by the militants on Friday, a military official said he did not desert the force because he feared death. “He actually did so because he was not sure whether the ongoing fighting in Waziristan was Islamic or not.

The number of Pakistan army soldiers killed at the hands of their fellow Muslims in the tribal areas in last five years has already crossed the number of those killed in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.

Here is a photo of a Frontier Corps Soldier. Not much difference then, is there? But look at the history of this Corps. Their tribal identity seems to be trumping the national identity.

Technorati Tags: Pakistan , Mutiny , Army