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14 militants including Mullah Fazlullah's
Security forces on Thursday arrested 14 militants, including a close aide of Maulana Fazlullah, and continued to pound militant strongholds in Swat, residents and officials said. "Maulvi Bashir was among the 14 militants arrested. The arrests were made during search operations in Matta, Kanju and Fizaghat," security officials told Daily Times. They declined comment on how significant Bashir's arrest was. They said the men were under interrogation.Woman killed, 2 injured:Peochar, considered a militant stronghold, was pounded heavily on Thursday night. Residents said a woman was killed and two others injured in the shelling. Government officials refused to confirm or deny this. A government statement did say that security forces' on Thursday night pounded militant positions on the outer edges of Swat Valley. "The situation in Swat remained calm and no untoward incident took place," it read. Surrender brother: Meanwhile, Fazlullah's brother on Friday asked the radical cleric to surrender. Fazle Ahad who was arrested by security forces at the beginning of the military operation said in a message aired on government-run radio: "Fighting the government is not in the interest of Pakistan and the nation. Therefore, militants have to lay down their weapons." The Army Aviation has successfully landed two Mashak flights as trial to re-operate the Saidu Sharif Airport, APP reported. Also, the curfew timings were relaxed till 8pm on Thursday, and additional two hours were given to provide maximum relief to the people. Meanwhile, a peace committee meeting was held in Swat. The meeting expressed satisfaction over the re-establishment of the government's writ in the area. The participants vowed to continue supporting the security forces in the government's drive to expel militants out of the area. The meeting also put a ban on illegal cutting of forests in various areas of Swat, NNI reported. Posted by: Fred 2007-12-15 |
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