A map locating Pakistan's northwestern districts. Pakistan said it killed more than 80 militants in an upsurge of fighting Wednesday that caused tens of thousands to flee and threatened to torpedo a northwest peace deal. (AFP/Graphic)
Posted on 05/06/2009 3:12:28 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
MINGORA, Pakistan (Reuters) – Pakistani security forces attacked Taliban fighters on Wednesday killing at least 64 of them, the military said, after the United States called on the government to show its commitment to fighting militancy.
Expanding Taliban influence in nuclear-armed Pakistan has spread alarm at home and abroad and will be a core issue when U.S. President Barack Obama meets his Afghan and Pakistani counterparts in Washington later on Wednesday.
A February peace pact aimed at ending Taliban violence in Swat has collapsed and thousands of people fled from Mingora, the region's main town, on Tuesday after a government official said fighting was expected.
The military launched attacks on the outskirts of Mingora, the main town in Swat, 130 km (80 miles) northwest of Islamabad, and in the nearby district of Buner.
While a curfew kept people off Mingora's streets, government forces struck militant targets with artillery and helicopters, including an emerald mine the Taliban had taken over.
"There have been two quick offensives by security forces. We knocked the militants out and are moving forward," said a security official who declined to be identified.
The army said 37 militants were killed in the clashes in Swat, 35 of them at the mine, while two soldiers were killed in a bomb blast. A militant headquarters near Mingora was also destroyed, the military said in a statement.
A paramilitary force said 27 militants were killed in Buner.
There was no independent confirmation of the toll.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
A map locating Pakistan's northwestern districts. Pakistan said it killed more than 80 militants in an upsurge of fighting Wednesday that caused tens of thousands to flee and threatened to torpedo a northwest peace deal. (AFP/Graphic)
just a little mellow music in the background as the wheels of history grind on...
(sarcasm on)
Killed 64 militants?
Why, that’s *GENOCIDE*! Well, it is when those nasty Jews do it, of course.
I wonder if any Spanish court will hold a hearing on the matter?
(sarcasm off)
By just reading the headline, it seems as though the Gov't of Pakistan sacrificed 64 Talbani terrorists on an alter in preparation for talks with the US.
Not that there is anything wrong with that ... (Jerry-esque)
a nice touch, PR-wise indeed.. ;-)
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