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Pakistan: Fighter jets strike Taliban hideouts in Swat
[ADN Kronos] Pakistani fighter jets and attack helicopters pounded suspected Taliban hideouts in the northwest on Wednesday. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have now fled the punishing offensive, now into its 17th day.Helicopter gunships also swung into action in the neighbouring district of Lower Dir, where the military has been attacking militants since 26 April after Taliban fighters advanced within 100 kilometres of Islamabad. Ten militants were reportedly killed during ongoing operations in Lower Dir. According to sources, the militants were killed during overnight shelling of militants' strongholds in tehsil Maidan of district Lower Dir. Up to 15,000 security forces are taking on about 4,000 well-armed fighters in Swat in what Islamabad calls a battle to 'eliminate' militants. "All exit roads from Mingora have been closed. Our troops have surrounded the city to deny any exit to militants," said a military official, referring to the main town in Swat. "We have also blocked the road to Dir as militants were using the route to flee to the tribal district of Bajaur," the official said. The military claims 751 militants and 29 troops have been killed in its operations in Lower Dir, Buner and Swat, although there is no independent confirmation of the figures and no word on civilian casualties. On Tuesday, the military operation in Swat entered a crucial stage when commando units were dropped by helicopters on mountains around the Taliban headquarters in Peochar, said to be the hideout of local Taliban chief, Mullah Fazlullah. Official sources said that a fleet of at least 13 helicopters flew over the area and dropped commandos on mountains as the army intensified its offensive in the region. People in adjoining Dir also reported seeing several helicopters hovering over the area and dropping commandos on hills in Niag Darra, Karo Darra and Turmang Darra areas. According to sources, around 1,200 troops backed by tanks and artillery reached Turmang Darra in Upper Dir on Tuesday. Planes and helicopters flew over the area. Peochar, surrounded by dense forests, is a strategic location with several training camps, centres for suicide bombers, and arms depots. Taliban's shura or tribal council held its meetings in Peochar and issued directives to militants in the district and other parts of Malakand region. On Tuesday the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said more than 500,000 people had been displaced by the conflict since the beginning of May. Of the new arrivals, 72,707 people are staying in refugee camps, and 428,789 others are staying with relatives, friends or hosts. "This is a huge and rapidly unfolding emergency which is going to require considerable resources beyond those that currently exist in the region," said UNHCR chief Antonio Guterres. Posted by: Fred 2009-05-14 |
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