PESHAWAR: **Fierce fighting erupted between troops and militants in northwest Pakistan Wednesday, leaving 33 rebels, two soldiers and two civilians dead, officials said. Pakistani gunship helicopters and artillery pounded rebel positions for a second day in the Swat Valley, a former tourist spot . **Seventeen of the militants died when their vehicle was hit by fire by security forces, while the other sixteen died in separate incidents, chief military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad was quoted as saying. “Helicopters were used in the operation. They shelled known militant positions on hill tops,” Arshad said. “In one incident a vehicle carrying 17 militants was targeted, the vehicle fell from a hilltop and all were killed. They were militants, there is no doubt, they had arms,” he added.
He said the two soldiers were killed and four others wounded when militants fired rockets that hit the airport at Saidu Sharif, one of the main towns in the Swat Valley. Security forces said two civilians were also killed. One artillery shell landed in a house near the town of Matta killing a civilian and wounding six others including a woman and a 12-year-old boy, security officials said. A labourer was killed in a mortar attack in Kabal area as he unloaded sand from a truck, they said. None of the casualties could be independently confirmed. Residents and security officials said troops used long-range guns against suspected militant bases while helicopters shelled their positions. Troops meanwhile arrested four militants carrying radio sets and grenades, Arshad said. “They are hardcore elements who were arrested after their messages were intercepted. We are investigating further their links,” he added. Authorities clamped a 12-hour on the valley overnight, during which troops were deployed in key areas. It was lifted at lunchtime on Wednesday.
These militants do not understand the use of logic, and intellect. These misguided Islamists must be crushed, otherwise this plague will impact a lot more areas.
***In memory of our slain soldiers and officers,
Pakistan Army Zindabaad
About time the govt turned its attention to this serious matter, instead of trying to save its own kursi. Now that he has successfully used the militants to save his kursi by letting them roam freely and commit suicide attacks just like what he did in the lal masjid episode, time for him to crush these elements and hopefully in future he will put the interest of Pakistan before his own.
but daleel bhai, putting dislike of musharraf asiude wouldn't you agree that in itself the action being taken now is justified, needed and something that we should all rally behind.
and I do feel that had this taken place a few weeks ago, newscasters would be on air crying about military actiona gainst own citizens and what nots.
these thoughst do not change my opposition to emergency, just some thoughts:)
exactly. That's why the media had to be shut down. Because that's exactly what they would have done. Instead of supporting moves against militants it would have spent 99% of the time talking about collateral damage, forgetting the fact that its the militants themselves who choose to hide behind civilians and that its civilians themselves who choose to harbor these criminals in their homes.
but daleel bhai, putting dislike of musharraf asiude wouldn't you agree that in itself the action being taken now is justified, needed and something that we should all rally behind.
and I do feel that had this taken place a few weeks ago, newscasters would be on air crying about military actiona gainst own citizens and what nots.
these thoughst do not change my opposition to emergency, just some thoughts:)
it is not a case of dislike of Mush. As head of state (illegal though he is) he should have put the interests of Pakistan first not his own. In this fight I am with him but I am not sure he is sincere in rooting out this evil. Any chance he gets he will use them for his own benefit.
it is not a case of dislike of Mush. As head of state (illegal though he is) he should have put the interests of Pakistan first not his own. In this fight I am with him but I am not sure he is sincere in rooting out this evil. Any chance he gets he will use them for his own benefit.
well lets just say that even from a cynical and untrusting viewpoint about his motives the results are a welcome side effect.
exactly. That's why the media had to be shut down. Because that's exactly what they would have done. Instead of supporting moves against militants it would have spent 99% of the time talking about collateral damage, forgetting the fact that its the militants themselves who choose to hide behind civilians and that its civilians themselves who choose to harbor these criminals in their homes.
Yes i remember aaj tv and them going ape, and calling fu-ghazi#1 a shaheed, and giving excuses for fu-ghazi#2. I mean people who challenged the writ of the state, were being hailed as heroes by our media. as shaheed i.e. righteous fighters who gave their life in duty to god.
same for the attackson militant training facility a while back when everyone was up in arms about oh they were innocent ppl there and all werekids, until govt started giving ids of the ppl there.
exactly. That's why the media had to be shut down. Because that's exactly what they would have done. Instead of supporting moves against militants it would have spent 99% of the time talking about collateral damage, forgetting the fact that its the militants themselves who choose to hide behind civilians and that its civilians themselves who choose to harbor these criminals in their homes.
PCG, I think you are going a bit harsh on Geo. I have never seen Geo denounce military operations against militants. Why would they, I see no reason to it.
That is good to know, finally some focus on areas where they deserve some thrashing. This looks exact same scenario of Lal Masjid, let the militants finish their job (take over, get power etc.) then fight them with fire.... why do we have to wait for situation to get so bad? Why can't we nip the evil in the bud? (cut their supplies, cut their influx etc.)
their back should be kicked hard and they should be spanked hard so that next time they dont use the name of Islam for their own personal benefits, and they dont burn any girls school and they dont blow any CD shops …
Its high time that these backward tallibutts were taught a lesson. These evil doers slaughter human beings like animals and that too in the name of Islam. Long Live Pak. Long Live Pak Army. Long Live The General who represents the Dunda from here to down under!
That is good to know, finally some focus on areas where they deserve some thrashing. This looks exact same scenario of Lal Masjid, let the militants finish their job (take over, get power etc.) then fight them with fire.... why do we have to wait for situation to get so bad? Why can't we nip the evil in the bud? (cut their supplies, cut their influx etc.)
If we do that, you know who will still cry foul and blame army for being american slaves and killing innocent gun-toting terrorists.
Now militants will not be able to hide behind the black robes anymore.
‘Some people released by SC attacking forces’
ISLAMABAD: Top military authorities have said that some of the people released under the Supreme Court (SC)’s orders are attacking security forces and targeting national installations. “We have irrefutable evidence that the people who were set free under the SC’s directives are attacking security forces, targeting national installations and worsening the situation,” senior military officials said while briefing senior media representatives at GHQ Rawalpindi on Wednesday.
They said the army is countering extremism, adding that it has been reactivated in the Tribal Areas and Swat from October 23. They said 100,000 troops are participating in the war against militancy in Balochistan, the Tribal Areas and other parts of the NWFP. They said the army’s primary target was Baitullah Mehsood and vowed that the army would “arrest or kill him”. They said the army was cooperating and coordinating with international forces engaged in Afghanistan.
