ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) – Pakistani security forces and Taliban militants traded fire Sunday in the country’s volatile northwestern region, and reports of battle casualties have emerged, the military said.
This comes as Pakistan’s Frontier Corps launched an offensive against suspected militants and their hideouts in Lower Dir, which neighbors the violence-plagued Swat.
The suspected militant hideouts targeted by the military are in Islampura and Lal Qila in Lower Dir. A “heavy exchange of fire” was reported at both Kala Dag and Lal Qila.
There were reports of many Taliban deaths, including an “important local commander.” One security force member was killed and four others were wounded, the military said.
Army Col. Attiq Ahmed told CNN about the military operation, and a Taliban spokesman in the area confirmed it.
Taliban spokesman Mullah Mansoor Dadullah said the militants were “resisting the army operation.”
The Taliban “know who the people are who raise their voices for the operation,” Dadullah said. “We know them, they are on our hit list and we will target them.”
Lower Dir is one of the districts included in the recent peace deal between the government and the Taliban.
The peace deal encompasses the Malakand Division, which includes the following areas: Swat, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Buner, Shangla, Chitral and Malakand. Kohistan, which is not in Malakand division, is also covered under the deal.
Good news! Now that the people of SWAT have Shariah implemented as per their wishes and struggle since 1979, TTP will no longer be allowed to hijack the moment and play on people’s sentiments. Pakistan Army can win a decisive victory over TTP who are heavily funded/armed/trained from Afghanistan by Anti-Pakistan forces.
I pray that Pakistan Army gets rid of TTP once and for all, we might even have a summer treat in the shape of Baitullah Mehsud’s incapable body for the world to see, better would be to capture him alive and air his confession live for the world to see and hear from the culprit’s mouth about who financed/trained/supported him. No holds bars! Make it all transparent, since the “free world” likes it that way.
Re: Pakistan launches offensive against Taliban/TTP
and as of right now, FC has retaken control of Lal Qila
Security forces regain control of Lal Qila Updated at: 1805 PST, Sunday, April 26, 2009
LOWER DIR: Security forces have seized control of the Lal Qila after fierce gunbatlle with militants in an ongoing operation in Lower Dir on Sunday.
According to sources, security forces have entered the Lal Qila.
On the other hand, intense firing is underway between militants and FC troops at Kaladag and Islam Pura.
Meanwhile, ISPR said in a statement that Frontier Corps have launched operation against militants in Dir on the request of the provincial government and people.
Earlier in the day, security forces targeted suspected militants’ hideouts situated in Lal Qila and Islam Pura, killing a large number of militants, including a top commander.
While one security personnel was also martyred in the operation.
Re: Pakistan launches offensive against Taliban/TTP
This cat and mouse game would never end. Even the military knows it. I suggest grass root level solutions. Once the military take controls of these areas they become more vulnerable and prone to Taliban attacks.
Re: Pakistan launches offensive against Taliban/TTP
well all games end eventually, Pakistan cannot allow itself to become the chessboard. TTP has been starved of public support, and i think GoP in coordination with Govt. of Pakhtunkhwa did the right thing by implementing Nizam-e-Adal because it took away the grassroot support for TTP who were mounting themselves on the issue. Now that they're left naked w/out an issue as far as Swat is concerned, the Armed forces of Pakistan can truly concentrate on tackling them and their Anti-Pakistan financiers/suppliers/supports and take them head-on.
well all games end eventually, Pakistan cannot allow itself to become the chessboard. TTP has been starved of public support, and i think GoP in coordination with Govt. of Pakhtunkhwa did the right thing by implementing Nizam-e-Adal because it took away the grassroot support for TTP who were mounting themselves on the issue. Now that they're left naked w/out an issue as far as Swat is concerned, the Armed forces of Pakistan can truly concentrate on tackling them and their Anti-Pakistan financiers/suppliers/supports and take them head-on.
True, and as we see peace in Swat now and as a result some of our enemies are not much happy with and we already saw reaction of the west to this deal so they look for alternatives to keep the fear, anarchy and destabilization of the country going in a continuous pace and we are watching a clear example in Buner now and the media is playing a major role in that by not focusing on ground realities.
True, and as we see peace in Swat now and as a result some of our enemies are not much happy with and we already saw reaction of the west to this deal so they look for alternatives to keep the fear, anarchy and destabilization of the country going in a continuous pace and we are watching a clear example in Buner now and the media is playing a major role in that by not focusing on the ground realities.
There is no peace in Swat, only fear through the guns of the talibs who refuse to disarm in violation of the deal. Only solution must be to kill each talib.
regardless of him being and MQM supporter or not, he is right about Swat, its only peaceful because the people are scared of the taliban.
why did nt the taliban set up a political party and get their support peacefully?
idont know how anyone can make excuses for the taliban,knowing they are killing innocent people and violating the peace deal.
theres no such thing as a good taliban. each and everyone must be killed. they cant be trusted to be jailed just in case they are set free by the government or escape. if they are killed straight away it would make other people think twice about joining up.
Taliban blocked the main highway linking Swat with the rest of the country on Saturday to stop a military convoy carrying supplies to Mingora, but a major clash was averted after intervention by the Awami National Party-led provincial government.
“Yes, we have stopped the convoy from entering Mingora as it was a violation of the deal with us,” Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan told Daily Times.
I predicted another army action failure…and it looks like it has come true. These Pashtun tribes are die hard type warrors. All military efforts of the Govt. have proven futile.
I suggest further negotiations and solving the issue.
Re: Pakistan launches offensive against Taliban/TTP
wait..u trust these people's words? not only did they not adhere to a single promise they made in their truce, but when they were getting their butts kicked in afghanistan they were all bravado until they escaped wearing burqas, which seems to be a trend of this scum when they need to save their butts.
so now, when one of these rats says they have stopped military, why would one believe them.
well unless people with sympathies for them, want to beliebe them.
Pakistan Military is only shackled by concerns of civilian casualties and the ethnic affiliation of people may create a bigger issue.
I suggest more ass kicking of these idiots by the military
I predicted another army action failure.......and it looks like it has come true. These Pashtun tribes are die hard type warrors. All military efforts of the Govt. have proven futile.
I suggest further negotiations and solving the issue.
90% of FC operating in the area is also pashtun, in case you forgot. In lower Dir, talibs ran away, and those who didn't got killed.
I predicted another army action failure.......and it looks like it has come true. These Pashtun tribes are die hard type warrors. All military efforts of the Govt. have proven futile.
I suggest further negotiations and solving the issue.
This must be why 26 talibs were sent to hell in Dir.
I predicted another army action failure.......and it looks like it has come true. These Pashtun tribes are die hard type warrors. All military efforts of the Govt. have proven futile.
I suggest further negotiations and solving the issue.
you are wrong last ones were not failure as well but were forcibly stopped by chicken ANP govt as they were nearing to poachar area.
also a divided nation cant fight and specially who has to lay down his life for a confused war.
as for this time i think if started it would go till the end as in bajaur, dara etc.
Re: Pakistan launches offensive against Taliban/TTP
We did the peace agreement, we accepted all the terms, we wanted peace, this was taken as sign of weakness by Talibans and others. All we wanted was peace, live and let live, but these Talibans started 'Capturing" Other areas, so army/security forces have to move, Now they know that there is no cure but a cruel operation against them. These thugs understand no Language but the barrel of gun.
What more Pakistan Govt. have to do is, despite all the resistance from US-NATO and Afghan Forces, seal the Pak-Afghan Border, kill any thing moving in and out of Pakistan, if this is done, in two to three months time, the Taliban will be wiped out and insurgency in Balochistan will be over...
This is only way-forward.. let American-NATO deal with Talibans in Afghanistan ( only if they can) let Taliban kick some white asses their.. lets not interfere in that part.. let the Afghan and American sort that issue... Afghan War is not our war, and we should not take any part in it.. We Just seal the border and guard it.. No movement of tribes here and there.. let the 2 million Afghan refugees go back to their country or at least restrict them to their respective camps...
There would have been many such operations in past particularly in Mush's regime. But some how Pak Talib emerged as stronger than before. I wonder if this operation would be of any success.
So now CNN is credible … here is something from “Indian” media …