RAWALPINDI: The security forces have killed 143 militants in the insurgency-hit Swat valley during 24 hours as the forces have intensified operation to eliminate and expel the miscreants, the army said on Friday. Curfew has been imposed across Swat for indefinite period. Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said that 16 other militants were also killed in Buner and Lower Dir districts in the same period. He said some prominent militant Commanders were among those killed. He told a news conference that security forces have suffered seven deaths and twelve others were injured. “After the complete break down of law and order and non-adherence to peace deal by the militants, Army was called in aid of civil power to eliminate militants,” the army spokesman said. “On the directive of Govt of Pakistan Army is now engaged in a full scale operation to eliminate all anti-state elements from Swat. They are on the run and trying to block the exodus of innocent civilians by preventing their departure through coercion, IEDs, road blocks with trees and even hostages”. “Even after the peace deal, the militants had challenged the writ of the Government and continued with militant activities,” he said. The spokesman said that there are around 4000 militants present in Swat valley, adding that the leadership of the militants and foot soldiers and cadre are from Swat. “But there had been militants from across the border and also few Uzbeks and Tajiks”. He said the militants in Swat have recruited over 100 youth who have taken training. He said the militants knock at the doors of the people and take children, without parents’ permission. “They have increased numbers. Most of the recruits have been given arms”. Athar Abbas said that the air force fighter planes destroyed training centers of the militants between mountains and in different areas, adding that data of the number of the camps and casualties is being collected. He said objectives of the major offensive are to clear Swat valley from the militants, restore peace and establish writ of the government in the area. The spokesman said that border forces have also been on alert to stop cross border movement of the militants from entering Pakistan. The number of forces has been increased in Swat to break the coordination of Swat militants with those coming from across the border. Athar Abbas said the militants are getting drug money from Afghanistan and it was estimated 10 per cent of the 4 billion dollars estimated drug money in the international market. The militants are also getting money from kidnappings for ransom, charity as well as from hostile intelligence agencies in the region. Giving an overview of what he called atrocities and acts of terrorism took place after the agreement, he said 30 security forces personnel and 44 others were injured. There were 14 suicide attacks and 8 IED attacks, 7 military convoys were ambushed. A total of 30 fire raids were also reported while two schools one in Kanju Chowk near Mian Kalay Masjid, 3 police stations, one grid station were destroyed and 6 banks looted. He said that Khawazakhela/Chamtalai area has been secured by Security Forces and during operation one soldier embraced Shahadat while 5 militants were killed. Fire exchange took place at Matta Police station and as a result 13 militants were killed, he said adding that militants at Takhtaband, Qambar Top and Iqbal advocate house were attacked resulting into killing of 10 militants and injuring twelve. He said that on Thursday and Friday militants training camps on the mountain strong holds, ammunition dumps and command and communication centers were targeted through precision strikes, the spokesman said. He said special care has been taken to strike identified targets and those targets, which are away from populated areas. Today 10 militants were killed in Kabal by attack helicopters and five killed in Kanju including Commander Akbar Ali, the spokesman said. Militants killed brother of UC Nazim at Khawazakhela and two policemen from Sor Bridge at Khawazakhela were kidnapped by the militants. He said militants fired six rockets at Circuit House, Mingora. Resultantly, one soldier embraced shahadat and two got injured. Militants resistance in Buner has considerably reduced. However, they are maintaining their positions at Sultanwas and Pir Baba. “Today a preliminary operation was launched in Kalapani area, where six militants have been killed and two have been arrested”. He said the operation to clear Sultanwas is in progress and soon militants positions in Sultanwas will be eliminated. “Since this area is densely populated, operations are being conducted with lot of caution”. He said curfew is relaxed daily for six hours and transport to Swabi and Mardan is smoothly operating. He said search and cordon operations are continuing in Lower Dir. The militants hideouts were attacked during the last two days. He said on Friday militants' fired from a ridge on top of Qambar Bazar at Lal Qila. “A swift operation was launched in the morning and group of militants were attacked by FC troops”. During the encounter 10 militants were killed, the spokesman said. He said militants hiding in a compound in Maidan Area were attacked on Friday and 15 militants were killed including two important commanders. He said that militants attacked Levy Fort, Chakdara and damaged it. During heavy exchange of fire, three soldiers embraced Shahadat and eleven were injured.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ts&nid=950&ad=09-05-200
Dated: Saturday, May 09, 2009, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1430 A.H.
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