ID :
26773
Mon, 10/27/2008 - 09:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/26773
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7 militants killed as Pak forces strengthen position in Bajaur
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Oct 26 (PTI) Seven Taliban fighters were killed Sunday as Pakistani security forces consolidated their positions in the restive northwestern Bajaur Agency after taking control of a key militant stronghold in the tribal area bordering Afghanistan.
Security forces pounded militant hideouts in Tangkhata
area, killing seven militants, officials said.
Senior officials said yesterday that troops had taken
control of the Taliban stronghold of Loisam after killing some
1,500 militants, but TV channels reported the security forces
were still facing pockets of resistance.
Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said the battle
for Bajaur Agency is crucial as troops can disrupt movement of
militants to Afghanistan and areas of the N.W.F.P., including
the troubled Swat valley, by controlling the tribal region.
The inspector-general of the Frontier Corps, Maj Gen
Tariq Khan told journalists during a guided tour of the
militancy-infested Bajaur region yesterday that the security
forces had flushed out militants from their strongholds in
Tang Khatta, Rashakai and Loisam, located 12 km from the
Afghan border.
However, he said it could take six months to a year to
eliminate the militants from the area.
About 1,500 militants were killed and 950 others,
including 300 foreigners, were captured since the launch of
the anti-militancy operation in August, security forces have
claimed.
A total of 73 security personnel – including 42 soldiers
and 31 Frontier Corps personnel – were killed and 269 others
injured during the operation, Khan said.
The government is not providing weapons or incentives to
tribal lashkars or militias operating against militants in
Bajaur and the tribesmen had risen up against the Taliban
because of the deteriorating law and order situation, he said.
The immediate withdrawal of the army from Bajaur is not
possible as the operation might last another few months. Four
additional wings of the Frontier Corps would be deployed in
the area soon, as about 500 militants were still fighting the
security forces, Khan said.
Maj Gen Abbas Bajaur Agency was in a state of lawlessness
before the anti-militancy operation was launched.
Militants constantly attacked security check posts and
had blocked the movement of government and Frontier Corps
convoys on all roads, he said.
"All Levies pickets in the Agency had been demolished by
the militants and a parallel system of administration had been
established in Mamund, Charmang and Salarzai sub-districts.
Militants had taken control of schools and converted them into
their centres," Abbas told reporters.
"They had also established courts in which they used to
award severe and capital punishment like beheading and killing
of security personnel in public."
The militants had begun granting licenses for business
and imposed taxes on people and transporters.
During the operation, security forces faced heavy
resistance as militants had support from across the border
with Afghanistan and from foreign fighters.
"The area was being used as a safe haven by foreign
fighters. The militants had developed a strong trench and
tunnel system of defence in populated areas like Loisam,"
Abbas said.
Meanwhile, in the troubled Khyber Agency, a member of the
pro-government jirga of the Kukikhel tribe was gunned down
Sunday by unidentified men, T.V. channels reported. PTI R.H.L.
RKM
Islamabad, Oct 26 (PTI) Seven Taliban fighters were killed Sunday as Pakistani security forces consolidated their positions in the restive northwestern Bajaur Agency after taking control of a key militant stronghold in the tribal area bordering Afghanistan.
Security forces pounded militant hideouts in Tangkhata
area, killing seven militants, officials said.
Senior officials said yesterday that troops had taken
control of the Taliban stronghold of Loisam after killing some
1,500 militants, but TV channels reported the security forces
were still facing pockets of resistance.
Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said the battle
for Bajaur Agency is crucial as troops can disrupt movement of
militants to Afghanistan and areas of the N.W.F.P., including
the troubled Swat valley, by controlling the tribal region.
The inspector-general of the Frontier Corps, Maj Gen
Tariq Khan told journalists during a guided tour of the
militancy-infested Bajaur region yesterday that the security
forces had flushed out militants from their strongholds in
Tang Khatta, Rashakai and Loisam, located 12 km from the
Afghan border.
However, he said it could take six months to a year to
eliminate the militants from the area.
About 1,500 militants were killed and 950 others,
including 300 foreigners, were captured since the launch of
the anti-militancy operation in August, security forces have
claimed.
A total of 73 security personnel – including 42 soldiers
and 31 Frontier Corps personnel – were killed and 269 others
injured during the operation, Khan said.
The government is not providing weapons or incentives to
tribal lashkars or militias operating against militants in
Bajaur and the tribesmen had risen up against the Taliban
because of the deteriorating law and order situation, he said.
The immediate withdrawal of the army from Bajaur is not
possible as the operation might last another few months. Four
additional wings of the Frontier Corps would be deployed in
the area soon, as about 500 militants were still fighting the
security forces, Khan said.
Maj Gen Abbas Bajaur Agency was in a state of lawlessness
before the anti-militancy operation was launched.
Militants constantly attacked security check posts and
had blocked the movement of government and Frontier Corps
convoys on all roads, he said.
"All Levies pickets in the Agency had been demolished by
the militants and a parallel system of administration had been
established in Mamund, Charmang and Salarzai sub-districts.
Militants had taken control of schools and converted them into
their centres," Abbas told reporters.
"They had also established courts in which they used to
award severe and capital punishment like beheading and killing
of security personnel in public."
The militants had begun granting licenses for business
and imposed taxes on people and transporters.
During the operation, security forces faced heavy
resistance as militants had support from across the border
with Afghanistan and from foreign fighters.
"The area was being used as a safe haven by foreign
fighters. The militants had developed a strong trench and
tunnel system of defence in populated areas like Loisam,"
Abbas said.
Meanwhile, in the troubled Khyber Agency, a member of the
pro-government jirga of the Kukikhel tribe was gunned down
Sunday by unidentified men, T.V. channels reported. PTI R.H.L.
RKM
