Posted on 05/08/2009 10:37:33 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Over 140 militants have been killed in Swat during the last 24 hours as the Army launched full scale operation to eliminate terrorists from the restive valley, following Prime Minister’s formal announcement that the army had been called in aid of civil power to deal with the challenge posed by the militants.
Military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told a press briefing on Friday that the operation will continue till its logical conclusion and complete elimination of extremists from the area.
He said the security forces had made some advances. He said the militants were on the run and trying to block the exodus of innocent civilians by preventing their departure through coercion, road blocks and making the people hostage.
Answering a question, he said the approximate number of terrorists in Swat was around 4000 and they had also recruited young people from the area without giving them any choice. He said most of them had been provided with arms.
He said 12,000 to 15,000 armed forces personnel were taking part in the operation.
He said there was no need to pull out troops from the Western border as a sufficient number of troops had been deployed in the disturbed areas.
Responding to a question about conventional threat from the Eastern border, he said Pakistan was closely monitoring Indian war games and there was no cause of concern at all.
He brushed aside the impression that the operation in Swat had been launched under US pressure and said ‘We analyze the threats keeping in view of the national interest and not on the dictates of external powers.’
He pointed out that the Government had made reconciliatory efforts regardless of any external pressure and the other side was provided full opportunity to bring peace. He said the real face of Swati militants stood exposed now and it was known to everybody that there agenda was beyond enforcement of Nizam-e-Adl.
General Athar Abbas said the militants in Swat were predominantly from the area, but they included militants from across the border and few Tajiks and Uzbeks. He said drug money coming from Afghanistan was the biggest source of finances received by the militants who also generate funds by kidnapping for ransom.
He said the Army and Frontier Corps contingent had been put on high alert to obviate the movement of ammunition and militants from across the border, while security on the routes leading to Swat had also been beefed up.
He said precautionary measures had been taken to avoid any backlash after the re-launching of operation in the aftermath of failure of the peace process.
Giving an update on the security situation in Swat, he said Khawazkhela and Chamtalai area had been secured by the security forces. He said one soldier lost his life while five militants were killed during the operation. Fire exchange took place at Matta Police station. As a result 13 militants have been killed. Militants loc at Takhtaband, Qambar Top and Iqbal advocate house were attacked resulting into killing of 10 militants and injuring twelve.
He said militants training camps on the mountain strong holds, ammunition dumps and command and communication centers have been targeted through precision strikes.
Special care has been taken to strike identified targets and those targets, which are away from populated areas. In last 24 hours militants have suffered over 100 casualties which include some prominent militant Commanders.
On Friday 10 militants have been killed in Kabal by attack helicopters and five killed in Kanju including Commander Akbar ali.
He said militants killed brother of UC Nazim at Khawazakhela. Two policemen from Sor Bridge at Khawazakhela were kidnapped by the militants. Militants fired six rockets at Circuit House, Mingora. Resultantly killing one soldier and injuring two others.
The military spokesman said militants’ resistance in Buner had considerably reduced. However, they were maintaining their positions at Sultanwas and Pir Baba.
Today a preliminary operation was launched in Kalapani area, where six militants have been killed and two have been arrested. The operation to clear Sultanwas was in progress and soon militants position in Sultanwas will be eliminated.
Since this area was densely populated, operations are being conducted with lot of caution. Curfew is relaxed daily for six hours and move of transport to Swabi and Mardan is smoothly operating.
He said search and Cordon operations are continuing in Lower Dir and militants’ hideouts were being attacked.
He said militants hiding in a compound in Maidan Area have been attacked and 15 militants have been killed including two important commanders. Militants attacked Levy Fort, Chakdara and damaged it. During heavy exchange of fire, three soldiers were killed and eleven were injured.
He said the militants abducted over 100 individuals, killed 30 security forces personnel, carried out four suicide and eight improvised explosive device attacks, looted six banks, destroyed three police stations and one grid station and damaged two schools after the peace agreement.
I hope no-one is in any doubt what a 'peace agreement' is worth in the Islamic world.
15,000 personel, that’s a large operation.
Wonder what it cost us?
Might have been nice for the writer to tell us SWAT was in Pakistan so we knew where this was happening.
The story and names could have come from a dozen different places right now.
How does one shout “GET SOME” in Pakistani?
3860 Targets left. Do we need more ammo to finish the operation? 3860 / 15000 = .257333... Dude just over 1/4 shot per person time to finish the job.
If you follow the link, you'll find that there are all sorts of indications on the web page that it's in Pakistan.... I'm somewhat surprised, though, that you were not already aware that Swat is in Pakistan -- it's been in the news for weeks.
Isn’t this the same valley where they had that video of the girl being held on the ground while her brother was forced to beat her? If I believed in Kharma I’d say 20,000 troops invading is cosmic payback.
140? Is that a large wedding party or just a normal sized one?
Interesting. What is it worth in the western world? Do us all a favor and learn your history.
That's gonna cost Allah at least 10,080 virgins!
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