| India-Pakistan |
| Army vows to kick out militants from Swat |
| 2008-02-26 |
| The Pakistan Army would not halt a military offensive in Swat valley until all militants were cleared from the once-popular tourist site, Major General Nasser Janjua said on Monday. There is no time frame for completion of the operation as there are still 400 hardcore militants hiding in the valley, the regional commanding officer told reporters. It will take time to wind up the operation, he added. Janjua said the army was still on the trail of Maulana Fazlullah, a radical cleric who has demanded Shariah in the valley. The army launched a major offensive in November to drive his followers out of Swat. He is around Swat district but is hiding somewhere and keeps changing his location. We are behind him, Janjua said. He said the army had secured 90 percent of the region near the Afghan border, with more than 230 militants killed and 1,035 questioned during the offensive. He said 36 Pakistani soldiers had died during operations. Janjua said militants were losing support amid ongoing violence. Locals in Swat have been taken onboard by winning their hearts and minds. They are now resenting the militants, he said. Hundreds of people have died across the NWFP in recent months in clashes between pro-Taliban militants and security forces and in a wave of suicide attacks blamed on the militants. |
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| India-Pakistan | ||
| Guns, not golf, as Pak Army battles militants | ||
| 2007-12-10 | ||
| No tourists are hitting balls down the fairways of the once-peaceful Kabal golf course in Swat valley these days. Quite the contrary, the army has taken over the course as it battles Islamist militants who had tried to impose a Taliban-style rule in the valley in North West Frontier Province. A helicopter gunship is at the ready on one of the brown fairways while on another, big guns have been dug in, their long barrels pointing towards distant mountains. They have killed so many militants, says Major Mohammad Shafique of his battery of six 130mm artillery pieces that can fire a shell at a distance of 33 kilometres. The Swat valley had been a popular tourist destination with guides describing the sprawling and scenic golf course, built by a former princely ruler, as a golfers paradise. But this year well-armed militants appeared and began to enforce their brand of hardline Sharia law. Led by a young, The police Janjua said his troops had killed 290 of the militants, who he said were supported by the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and captured 143 in the offensive involving 20,000 troops. He said only six of his men had been killed. The threat is scattered, the threat is diluted, he said at his sand-bagged headquarters set up in a government guest house.
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| India-Pakistan |
| Swat cleared of militants: army |
| 2007-12-09 |
| MINGORA: The Pakistan Army claimed on Saturday that it has cleared almost all militants from Swat after killing 290 rebels and arresting another 143 in recent weeks. According to AFP, Major General Nasser Janjua said 20,000 troops backed by helicopter gunships and artillery had driven the militants out of their strongholds in an ongoing military operation. Mullah Fazlullah is still on the run with hardcore militants estimated to be between 200 to 400, including some foreigners, Janjua told reporters here. The militants have retreated to two places in the mountains in the northwest of the valley and we will chase them there, the commander added. Likely counter-attack: However, Janjua was careful not to claim success, saying the militants remain dangerous and likely will try to regroup for at least one major counter-attack, reported AP. He said officials believe that some of the fighters loyal to Fazlullah have melted into the local populace, while the hardcore supporters have been pushed into the Piochar side valley. He said Fazlullah had been involved with the enemy, and claimed Al Qaeda had played a role in the unrest in the conservative region. He said five soldiers and six civilians had been killed in the operation and around 20 civilians had also been wounded. He said it would take up to four months to stabilise the region, adding that it would take at least 12 months to reopen the region to tourists. Matta operation: Meanwhile, Daily Times has learnt that security forces are set to launch a large-scale operation against militants in the Ghat Poochar area of Matta, Swat. Residents say a large number of troops have taken positions on the Baryam Top, traditionally a precursor to a military operation. Separately, security forces have arrested 24 suspected militants in Kanjoo and Baryam Top areas, including a confidante of cleric Fazlullah, sources said. Fazlullahs close aide Maulana Muhammad Esa was captured in Swat and shifted to an undisclosed location, sources told Daily Times. |
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