According to Khan Bahadur, a truck driver who was standing outside the gate of the compound at the time of the shots being fired and the explosion, MAKING HIM AN EYEWITNESS, "There was fierce firing and then there was a blast. Soldiers were running here and there. The firing continued for about a half-hour. There was smoke everywhere. Then there was a break and then firing again".

According to Pakistani Army spokesman Athar Abbas (presumably no relation to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas), "We are trying to finish it (i.e. the standoff), CLEAR THE AREA OF TERRORISTS and RESTORE COMPLETE CONTROL", adding that there were "four or five" gunmen initiating the seige. Obviously, "clear the area of terrorists" and "restore complete control" will be tough. Terrorists are always lurking. Also, what exactly is "complete control?"

Finally, according to Interior Minister Rehman Malik, "I WANT TO GIVE A MESSAGE TO THE TALIBAN that what we did with you in SWAT, we will do the same to you (in Waziristan) too.  WE ARE GOING TO COME HEAVY ON YOU". Again, this seems to be more of the same all talk and no action, with civilians caught in the middle.