‘We are prepared for a long war’
Nov 4, 2009 News & Events, Pakistan, pakistan politics
PESHAWAR: A Taliban spokesman denied Tuesday that Pakistan army has won a series of battlefield victories in its offensive in tribal South Waziristan, saying the militants are drawing government soldiers into a trap.
‘We are prepared for a long war,’ Azam Tariq told an Associated Press reporter by telephone.
‘The areas we are withdrawing from, and the ones the army is claiming to have won, are being vacated by us as part of a strategy. The strategy is to let the army get in a trap, and then fight a long war.’
Tariq also denied army claims that hundreds of militants have been killed, saying only 11 have died so far.
In mid-October, the Pakistani government launched an offensive in the South Waziristan tribal region, viewed as the main stronghold in the country of both the Taliban and al-Qaida.
The military says it has pressed deep into Taliban territory and captured some Taliban strongholds. The offensive has drawn retaliatory militant attacks across Pakistan.
A few hours after Tariq’s claim, the army announced that 21 militants had been killed in the past 24 hours in South Waziristan and that government forces were continuing to press into Taliban territory. It said in a statement that one government soldier had died in the past day.
Much of the fighting was in Sararogha, a Taliban base where militant leaders have long operated openly, occasionally even using it for news conferences. The army said it killed 16 fighters there as it tried to clear the town of militants.
What is actually happening, though, is impossible to confirm.
Pakistan has effectively sealed off the tribal areas, semiautonomous regions where the central government in Islamabad has long had only minimal authority. —AP
Tags: Al qaida, Azam Tariq, Pak Army, Pakistan, Sararogha, South Waziristan, Swat, taliban, war on terror, Waziristan
Operation Rah-e-Nijat underway in South Waziristan
Oct 23, 2009 Uncategorized
According to press note issued by ISPR, on Jandola Sararogha Axis, Security forces are engaged in an intense encounter with terrorists hiding on heights surrounding Kotkai. After securing Tor Ghundai feature east of Kotkai, security forces are in the process of clearing surrounding heights and caves. During exchange of fire, an officer and a soldier embraced shahadat and four were injured. After securing Malik Shahi, security forces are undertaking clearance operation up to Mizo-Wam. During the operation seven terrorists were killed. Security forces check post has been established at Manzai Kili, West of Mandanna. Security forces are strengthening their positions at area around Spinkai. On Shakai – Ladha Axis security forces have made good progress and cleared Khaisura village linking up with Tiarza fort. During the operation eight terrorists have been killed. Many houses of this village were converted into bunkers. Heavily fortified bunkers with 2 meters thick concrete walls have been discovered. At present security forces are conducting search and clearance operation in Sherwangi and surrounding areas along with consolidation at Wuzi Sar and Gurgura Sar. During exchange of fire one soldier embraced shahadat and three were injured. During search of houses of Uzbeks, converted into bunkers around Sher Wangi, 105 bottles of Liquor were discovered. Arms and ammunition have been recovered during operation Rah-e-Nijat include 27 hand grenades, 4 rockets, 2 ammunition carrying bags, 9 Anti Air Craft guns along with 2007 mortar rounds, 6 rifles, 14 Rocket Launchers considerable number of mortar rounds and 22 Integrated Explosive Devices. In Malakand – Operation Rah-e-Rast, after receiving an intercept regarding a suicide mission, security forces raided a house at Tilligram and killed the potential suicide bomber when he was getting ready for the suicide mission. 2 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Tiligram, Tutan Banda. Security forces conducted search operation at Shalpin near Khawazakhela and apprehended 10 suspects. Security forces conducted search operation at Dabsar near Martung and apprehended one terrorist who was later identified as relative of Taliban commander Nazar. Regarding relief activities in Dera Ismael Khan and Tank, 4,735 cash cards have been distributed amongst the IDPs of Waziristan.
Tags: Agency, Air Force, aircraft, Army, Chief of Staff, COAS, fighter, guided, munitions, Navy, nuclear, Operation Rah-e-Nijat, Pakistan, precision, Soldiers, South Waziristan, war on terror
