Islamabad: Pakistani Army Chief Gen Ashfaq
Pervaiz Kayani on Thursday informed the government that operations
against the Taliban in the restive northwest were "successful"
as security forces captured 16 insurgents, including a top
militant commander.
Kayani met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani this morning
to apprise him of the operations going on for nearly three
months. They also discussed matters related to national
security, an official statement said.
The meeting assumes significance as the Pakistan army is
wrapping up its operations in Swat, Buner and Dir areas of
NWFP and preparing for a major offensive on the Taliban
stronghold of Waziristan.
The statement said that Gen Kayani and Gilani discussed
the "successful army operation" in the Malakand division in
the country's northwest.
Notwithstanding the authorities' claim about the success
of the army operations, Taliban fighters raided the house of a
Mayor and killed his brother near Aloch in Swat.
The house of Muhammad Ali, a 'nazim' or mayor, was
attacked by the militants, the military said today. Ali's
brother was killed and his nephew and a neighbour were injured
in the attack.
Over the past few months, the militants have targeted
political leaders opposed to them, especially those from the
Awami National Party, and local officials like Nazims.
In a separate incident, militant commander Bakthe-e-Jehan
surrendered before security forces at Charbagh, a former
Taliban stronghold, while four militants were captured by
troops during a search operation at Qadar Kandao and Chate
Kale in Swat.
Eleven suspects were apprehended by security forces
during a search operation at Kuza Banda in Swat.
A jirga or council of people from over a dozen villages
gathered at Khwazakhela, another former Taliban stronghold,
and said they would cooperate with security forces in the
drive against the militants.
Troops conducting a search in the Godiwala mountains in Lakki Marwat area seized six suicide jackets, two drums and six bags filled with explosives, 24 time bombs, a huge cache of arms and ammunition and police uniforms, the military said.
In the troubled Mohmand tribal region, security forces
today demolished 11 houses of suspected militants. Troops
currently conducting an operation against militants in Mohmand
Agency also targeted Taliban hideouts at Anbar and Haleemzai.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, July 30, 2009, 19:18