New ISI chief uncovered plot to kill General

Pakistan watchers say that Kiyani8217;s appointment as ISI chief is a reward for his capabilities as Director Military Operations DMO and for investigating the December 25, 2003 attack on Musharraf involving 8216;8216;lower level Army personnel8217;8217;.

He was also coordinating operations against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan with Afghan National Security Advisor Zalmay Rasul and US Central Command counterpart Major General John Vinces. In the Pakistani Army hierarchy, DMO is a crucial slot8212; both Musharraf and his predeccessor Jehangir Karamat served as DMOs. Close to Musharraf, Kiyani now has the task of tracking down bin Laden who Musharraf says is 8216;8216;very much alive8217;8217; and at the same time help the US in dismantling the terror network in tribal areas on the Pak-Afghan border.

On India, Kiyani will have to ensure that Musharraf8217;s January 6, 2004 commitment not to export terror stands firm. Senior Army officials in New Delhi say Kiyani is a thorough professional who has a clear understanding of the Indian Army8217;s operational role and capability. His knowledge of Indian troop deployment in Jammu and Kashmir will also restrain him from backing any military adventurism in Kashmir. But his new task as ISI chief also means that he will be closely monitoring political activities in Kashmir.