Security forces locked in fierce street battle with militants

ISLAMABAD:Militants in Pakistan are getting reinforcement from Afghan Taliban and extremists from different countries bordering Afghanistan are taking part in insurgency in Swat and other parts of Malakand, besides Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), said Inter-Services Public Relation Director General Major General Athar Abbas, on Tuesday.

Afghan militants are supplying arms, money and manpower to Pakistani militants lined up against the security forces, General Abbas said. He said the insurgency could be effectively countered by cutting the supply routes being used by these militants. He said the PAF has been requisitioned to hit high value targets in conflict zone.

Meanwhile, in update on Malakand situation, the ISPR spokesman revealed that the security forces have entered fierce street battle with Taliban fighters in insurgency-hit Swat and other parts of Malakand Division during last 24 hours and killed 16 militants while four security officials including a major were martyred besides 16 officials wounded.

Security forces during the ongoing military operation "Rah-e-Raast", are consolidating their positions in the restive valley of Swat and other parts of Malakand Division, while search and destroy operations are continuing, the spokesman said.

He said security forces were advancing on several fronts towards Mingora. They are conducting cordon and search operations inside the Matta Town, at Nazarabad, during which exchange of fire took place between security forces and militants, resultantly one officer Major Abid and one soldier martyred while 7 soldiers got injured, the spokesman said.

He said that in Kanju and Takhtaband areas, troops have successfully cleared more than 40 houses in Kanju and area ahead of Takhtaband Bridge. Fierce clashes are taking place at both places. Fourteen miscreants were killed during exchange of fire with security forces at Takhtaband, while 2 soldiers were martyred and 8 injured, he added.

He said that the operation in Buner is continue to clear Sultanwas, where the security forces are conducting cordon and search operations in various parts. In Peochar, the security forces are consolidating their positions in the valley by conducting search and destroy operations. During clashes one soldier got injured while 2 miscreants were killed.

More than 1,000 militants and at least 49 troops have been killed in operation Rah-e-Raast so far, earlier named as Operation Rah-e-Haq, launched in the districts of Lower Dir on April 26, Buner on April 28 and in Swat on May 8