[Geo News] The operation in Swat and Buner has been completed and these areas have been cleared of militants. "Great news, honey! I've killed all the cockroaches in the kitchen!"
Addressing a press conference accompanied with Federal Information minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said a meeting with Army chief Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani was held to discuss the issue of IDPs.
He said the army had 'credible' information that Fazlullah was hit, Major General Athar Abbas said giving no further details about the hardline cleric's condition. 'In one of the strikes, Mullah Fazlullah has been injured,' he said, adding that the air strike wounding the commander hit two days ago in Swat.
That's about a half dozen times he's been reported hit or killed. He must look like a Swiss cheese with a turban.
Armed Taliban marched into the district of Buner in April, putting Fazlullahï's fighters within 100 kilometres (60 miles) of the national capital Islamabad, and Pakistan unleashed its fresh military offensive. Abbas said that the operation in Swat and two other northwest districts was almost over, but said the top leadership remained elusive, with many simply disappearing into the mountains of the rugged region.
When conducting counterinsurgency operations, what's really important isn't how many cannon fodder get killed, wounded, or captured. What's really important is how thoroughly the leadership is destroyed. I don't have the feeling that the Pak Talibs' top leadership has been damaged.
'We are constantly targeting militant leaders. They always keep themselves protected,' Abbas said.
Given minimally competent intel they should be able to root out the leadership, especially the ones who drive around broadcasting on the FM band from their cars.
Kaira told the same press conference that the area had been cleared of 'terrorists', but a military statement issued Wednesday said that some pockets of resistance remained. The military claim to have killed about 1,600 militants in their northwest operation, but such tolls are impossible to verify.
I'd guess the number's much lower, and I'd also guess most of these are cannon fodder with a few mid-level commanders for seasoning.
As Swat operations wrap up, military and government officials have vowed to open up a second front against Pakistan's main Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud, who is holed up in the lawless tribal areas along the Afghan border.
They do talk a great offensive...
The Army Spokesman said that there are terrorists in some areas conducting terrorists activities, adding the extremists are being chased and their training centers have been razed. He added the process of targeting the hideouts of extremists will continue for some time and the Pak Army will stay in Swat. 'The real heroes of Malakand Division are its people,' he said adding there are pockets of resistance in some areas including Shah Dherai and Shamozai, the military action is underway to end this resistance. Abbas said all the large thoroughfares have been opened.