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Posted on 01/07/2004 11:52:13 PM PST by HAL9000
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistan's army launched a major offensive against suspected terrorists in a mountainous region near the border with Afghanistan believed used by al-Qaida fugitives, senior officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.It was not clear whether any major arrests were made during the operation, said Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. He said more information would be provided throughout the day.
Gen. Shaukat Sultan, the army spokesman, told AP that the operation near Wana, the headquarters of the deeply conservative South Waziristan tribal region, was continuing.
"We don't yet have details about casualties or arrests," he said.
An intelligence official told AP that authorities had received word three days ago that a group of armed men, believed to be foreigners, were in an area called Azam Warsak, near Wana. Tribal elders were contacted and asked the men to surrender, but they refused, prompting the military action.
Troops stormed the compound where the men are believed to be holed up at 3 a.m. Thursday, the official said on condition of anonymity. He said there had been an exchange of fire and that several army helicopters were involved. Soldiers used loudspeakers to urge villagers to leave the area.
South Waziristan is one of the main suspected hideouts for Osama bin Laden and other top al-Qaida fugitives. Officials in the region have said American planes dropped leaflets in the area Wednesday asking residents to cooperate with authorities and turn in any foreign terrorist suspects.
The area is just across the border from the Afghan province of Paktika, one of the main areas of Taliban resistance to U.S. military presence. The ousted militia has staged several ambushes and frequently launches rockets at U.S. military bases in the area, with fighters retreating across the border into Pakistan after the attacks.
Afghan and U.S. officials have long complained that Pakistan does not do enough to prevent Taliban and al-Qaida men from using its territory as a safe haven. Pakistan has said it is doing all it can to seal the porous border.
It was at least the second major operation in South Waziristan in recent months.
On Oct. 2, eight al-Qaida suspects were killed and 18 others captured in fierce fighting with army troops. Two Pakistani soldiers also died.
The target of that raid was apparently Said al-Kadr, an Egyptian-born Canadian citizen. Pakistani officials say he appears to have escaped, but his family has said he is missing and has accused the Pakistani government of hiding information about his fate.
Pakistan is a key ally of the United States and has turned over more than 500 al-Qaida suspects, including alleged No. 3 Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who was captured in March near the capital.
The government denies that U.S. troops are involved in any operations on their side of the Afghan border, though residents say they have seen American special forces soldiers there in recent months.
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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It is in the breaking news sidebar! |
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Hmmm.
Would there be any advantage in letting the Pakistani's claim responsibility for the capture of OBL. Now that's a puzzler. I'd think the Pakistani's would not want to be linked to the capture or killing of AQ members, fearing an uprising among their own population.
Can anybody enlighten me on pros or cons of Pakistan's offensive against AQ members?
I'll feel better in a day or two =o)
Were they big game hunting?
Yes. Yes you are! You're a good person - always remember that!
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