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The recent increase in air and ground operations along the Afghan-Pakistani border is the result of months of intelligence gathering.

Airstrikes just inside Pakistani territory along the Afghan border have increased recently; three U.S. air strikes in the area were reported in 2008 up until July 28, but since then eight U.S. air strikes have been reported in the area. Increases in U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle activity over villages before they are attacked have also been reported.

Pakistan has also increased air and ground missions over the past month, while criticizing the United States on multiple occasions (including a formal condemnation issued after a U.S. helicopter raid on Sept. 3) for violating its territory. The increase in operations by both U.S. and Pakistani forces in the same area at the same time raises questions over possible cooperation between the two countries; Stratfor sources in Pakistan have suggested that Islamabad would prefer the United States to attack militant strongholds on Pakistani soil because the Pakistanis are too ill-equipped (militarily and politically) to do so themselves.