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Helicopter gunships, tanks clear NATO supply route
 Security forces arrested 28 alleged Al Qaeda and Taliban 'facilitators' and demolished 19 houses including that of a senator as troops backed by helicopter gunships and tanks continued a major operation to secure the international highway in Khyber Agency that serves as a supply route for NATO forces in Afghanistan.It was not clear if the arrested men would be tried under the Anti-Terrorism Act or tribal laws. Security forces also arrested more than 100 Afghan nationals illegally living in Pakistan from Jamrud tehsil and deported them through the Torkham crossing point to Afghanistan, Khyber Agency Political Agent Tariq Hayat Khan told a news conference in Peshawar. "We are heading towards our goals," Khan said. Security forces ensured during the operation that they avoid collateral damage, and hospital officials in Jamrud said they had not treated anyone with wounds on Wednesday. Five civilians had been reported dead during the operations on Tuesday. Khan regretted the civilian deaths and announced compensation for the victims' families. The political administration imposed a curfew in the area and all roads leading to Jamrud were blocked for all traffic, causing problems for some commuters.
"There was no resistance at all from the Taliban side as they seem to have gone underground," local residents said, amid heavy artillery fire heard in Peshawar. Locals of Ghundi and Shahkas area said by telephone the security forces dynamited the mudhouse of Malik Attaullah amid a curfew in Ghundi. Attaullah is alleged to have provided shelter to the defunct Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan's local commander Mustafa Kamal Hijrat. Media reports said intelligence agencies arrested Hijrat last month, after he led several attacks on truck terminals in Peshawar. Senator: The security forces also razed the house of Senator Nasir Khan following intelligence reports that he provided land to a private militia to set up a centre in Jamrud, administration sources said. "I will lodge strong protest against the forces' action against me," the enraged senator said. Posted by: Fred 2009-01-01 |
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