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| India-Pakistan |
| Police resume control of Pir Qila after clash with Taliban in Shabqadar |
| 2008-09-23 |
| Police resumed control of Pir Qila area in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsaada after a clash with Taliban that killed a policeman and left 27 injured on Monday. The clash started soon after a peace march, arranged by the district police and the local Amn (peace) Committees in Aranda area of Shabqabdar. The Taliban, who arrived from Michni area after the end of the peace march, took control of the Pir Qila Chowk. Helicopter gunships targeted Taliban positions, as both sides used heavy weapons, including rocket launchers. Heavy contingents of police, the Frontier Constabulary and the Frontier Corps were moved to the area. By the evening, the Taliban withdrew and the Peshawar-Bajaur Highway was opened for traffic. The police also arrested at least 10 suspected Taliban during the operation. Taliban spokesman Dr Asad claimed that 20 policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police, were killed and five others were taken into custody. The Shabqadar DSP said that nine Taliban were killed, while 13 were injured in the clash. Police sources said that five civilians also sustained injuries in the exchange of fire. |
| Posted by:Fred |