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| 19 militants, six soldiers killed in SWA clashes |
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Seven militants, four soldiers die in Bajaur
By Irfan Burki & Daud Khattak
WANA/PESHAWAR: Continuing their advance from three sides on the Taliban strongholds of Srarogha, Ladha and Makeen on the 10th day of the operation Rah-e-Nijat, security forces claimed killing 19 more terrorists in three separate clashes on Monday.
Six Army soldiers embraced Shahadat while 20 others suffered injuries in the fighting in Gharlai, Sarwek, Shaga and Sharkai Sar areas. Independent confirmation of the casualty toll was not possible as the conflict zone had been under curfew for the past 10 days and communication links had been snapped.
In an apparent bid to mount pressure on the government and security forces to divert focus from Waziristan, militants attacked a security post in Bajaur Agency, the stronghold of banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) deputy chief Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, and killed four security personnel in Matak village. Officials said seven militants were killed in retaliatory fire by security forces.
Thousands of people have been displaced from areas inhabited by the Mehsud tribe in South Waziristan and taken refuge in parts of the neighbouring North Waziristan Agency as well as Tank and Dera Ismail Khan districts.
In their advance from three sides over the past 10 days, security forces have captured Kotkai, the village of the TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud and his cousin and suicide bombers’ master trainer Qari Hussain, along with Sherwangai, Nawazkot, Chalweshtai and some key ridges. However, the troops faced tough resistance on the 10th day in their advance towards the Taliban stronghold of Srarogha.
Tribal sources said an estimated 10,000 militants, mostly local tribesmen and some foreigners — Uzbek fighters — had gone into the mountains following the launch of the military operation on October 17. They were preparing for tough battle in the mountains, forests and narrow passes, said security officials, who expected fierce fighting in the days ahead.
The sources said a fierce clash took place when the Taliban tried to block the way of advancing troops near Srarogha. Small and heavy weapons were used in the fighting that caused casualties on both sides. Military officials said 10 militants were killed in the clash which also claimed the lives of six Army soldiers. Another 14 soldiers sustained injuries and were evacuated with the help of military helicopters.
Giving details of the advance made by security forces on the 10th day of the operation Rah-e-Nijat, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the troops secured the Kazhakas area on the road leading to Inzar Killay and Srarogha. The troops also secured Gharlai village on Kotkai-Srarogha road.
On Shakai-Kaniguram axis, the ISPR said the troops surrounded Sarwek village, one kilometre north of Chalweshtai, and secured the surrounding ridges. Seven militants were killed and five soldiers injured in the operation in the same zone.
From the Razmak side, security forces claimed securing the village of Shaga and Sharakai Sar in the Nawazkot area. Two militants were killed and one soldier injured in the operation. The ISPR said the soldier was injured from sniper fire at Sharkai Sar.
The political administration officials said the troops had secured Moomi Karam and Sarwek villages after getting control of Chalweshtai. They said the troops would be able to reach and control the strategic peaks of Asman Manza and Karwan Manza in next two days.
Locals said almost all people had left Sarwekai and Ladha Tehsils. Only a small number of people had stayed behind to guard their houses and belongings, said tribesmen arriving in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank.
Sources said some militants had crossed into neighbouring Orakzai Agency and the fighter planes bombed some hideouts of the militants there, but there were no reports about the casualties.
In Bajaur, militants attacked a security post in Matak village in Charmang Tehsil and killed four soldiers. In retaliatory fire, security forces killed six attackers, local officials said.Militants have once again stepped up attacks in Bajaur, where security forces had conducted a massive air and ground operation in August 2008. Thousands of people were displaced from Bajaur and majority of them are still living in two camps in Katcha Garhi in Peshawar and Jalozai in Nowshera district.
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briefs...
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ISSN 1563-9479 
