Paskistan Army Sweeps Miramshaw

foreign Policy ^ | 7//14 | schneider

[mgist]

At least 15 militants were killed and three soldiers were injured on Monday as the Pakistani military began the second phase of its offensive in North Waziristan with a ground operation in Miramshah (NYT, ET).

The military released a statement on Monday that said infantry and special forces units moved from house to house throughout the city and uncovered networks of tunnels and bomb factories. The operation included the mobilization of tanks, artillery, and gunship helicopters in support of those infantry forces. The statement also said that 376 militants and 17 soldiers had been killed since the beginning of the offensive, which started in early June with an air assault.

[mgist]

The military has claimed that no civilians were killed in the offensive, which seems unlikely given the accounts given by some of the 500,000 refugees who fled the area. For instance, the New York Times spoke to one 15-year-old girl whose home was destroyed by an air strike — she suffered serious burns and remains hospitalized weeks after the incident. There is no way to independently verify casualty counts since North Waziristan is so remote and inaccessible to journalists.

Pakistan demands Afghan cooperation

The Pakistani army reiterated its longstanding demand that the Afghan government help it destroy Pakistani Taliban sanctuaries on the Afghan side of the border on Tuesday, specifically asking Afghanistan to “eliminate or handover” Mullah Fazlullah, a Taliban commander (ET). Fazlullah is the chief of the Pakistani Taliban, but he resides in Afghanistan, from where Major General Asim Bajwa said he controls the militant fighters. Pakistan has also requested that Afghanistan reinforce its border areas so that no militants can escape their ongoing offensive. Pakistani forces have established more posts on its side of the border as a precaution as well.

India

Congress attacks PM Narendra Modi for his silence
India’s Congress Party mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday for his silence on the issue of China’s reported claim over Arunachal Pradesh, Pakistan’s ceasefire violations, rising prices, and an alleged “rapist” in the ministry (Indian Express, Times of India, NDTV). Congress criticized Modi for his claims during the Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament) election campaign that a strong government in Delhi could set things right.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Good to see that some Muslims are doing the heavy lifting.