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Pak troops in major operation against al-Qaeda tribal hideout
Islamabad, Oct 02: Pakistani troops early today launched a major operation to capture al-Qaeda fugitives in a tribal district near the afghan border, the military announced.
Islamabad, Oct 02: Pakistani troops early today launched a major operation to capture al-Qaeda fugitives in a tribal district near the afghan border, the military announced.
"Last night we received credible information of al-Qaeda hideouts. The Pakistani Army acted swiftly and launched an operation," an army spokesman told a news agency.
"The operation commenced early this morning and is progressing smoothly."
The operation was under way in south Waziristan district, where hundreds of al-Qaeda fugitives have taken refuge since late 2001, according to local human rights activists. Afghan officials have repeatedly pointed to south Waziristan as the source of attacks by resurgent Taliban fighters.
The deeply conservative tribal district faces Southeast Afghanistan's Paktika Province, which has borne the brunt of an upsurge in violence by the regrouped Taliban.
The Afghan district of Barmal, which has been under Taliban control for the past six weeks, lies 15 km from the border with south Waziristan. The army would not give details of how many troops were deployed or how many al-Qaeda suspects they were moving to against.
Bureau Report
"The operation commenced early this morning and is progressing smoothly."
The operation was under way in south Waziristan district, where hundreds of al-Qaeda fugitives have taken refuge since late 2001, according to local human rights activists. Afghan officials have repeatedly pointed to south Waziristan as the source of attacks by resurgent Taliban fighters.
The deeply conservative tribal district faces Southeast Afghanistan's Paktika Province, which has borne the brunt of an upsurge in violence by the regrouped Taliban.
The Afghan district of Barmal, which has been under Taliban control for the past six weeks, lies 15 km from the border with south Waziristan. The army would not give details of how many troops were deployed or how many al-Qaeda suspects they were moving to against.
Bureau Report