Appearing from Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad & Quetta

Friday, October 23, 2009, Zhul-Q'ada 03, 1430

Rah-e-Nijat update
24 more militants killed in SWA tense fight

Tariq Saeed

Peshawar—The security forces Thursday mowed down yet another 24 miscreants in parts of South Waziristan Agency as the operation code named Rah-e-Nijat initiated against Taliban in the region entered sixth day. During the skirmishes with the insurgents two soldiers also embraced Shahadat while four others wounded.

Reports reaching here from Wana, South Waziristan Agency (SWA) speak of continuous fighting between the men in uniform and those loyal to TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud, though at low intensity in various areas of the agency.

Sources say after intense battle the forces have eventually cleared the Tora Ghundai area of the militants and destroyed number of militants bunkers and caves in the area while the forces also clashed with the insurgents at Torwam bridge and Kotkai the home town of TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud.

The Security forces, however, regained the control of Torwam Bridge which was closed by terrorists since 2007. This bridge is vital for link up between Torwam and Ladha. The forces have established pickets at road Torwam-Sherwangi and are patrolling the area.

According to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) updates terrorists raided Boya Narai west of Sherwangi on the night between Wednesday and Thursday but the attack was repulsed inflicting heavy casualties to attackers. Eleven terrorists were killed and a number of them were injured. Security forces also suffered losses as one soldier embraced martyrdom and three others injured.

On Jandola – Sararogha axis after intense fighting complete Tor Ghundai feature has been secured. Series of bunkers and caves have been neutralized. Terrorists have left the area after suffering heavy casualties. Reportedly, thirteen terrorists have been killed.

At present security forces are in the process of securing Shishamwam spurs and caves are being cleared in a systematic manner. The updates say adding Mizowam has been fully secured.

On Shakai - Ladha Axis the Security forces are extending perimeter of security North of Sherwangi area. Gurgura Sar has been fully secured.

While in Razmak, security forces are consolidating their positions and have effectively blocked the roads leading from Makeen.

Terrorists fired 6 rockets at Razmak camp. One soldier embraced Shahadat and one injured.

On the other hand as the operation title Rah-e-Rast continued in Swat – Malakand, search and clearance operations were conducted in general area Banpur Sar. Important terrorist commander

Iqbal alias Islam was killed and large quantity of ammunition, grenades and equipment were recovered.

Security forces, also apprehended nine suspects from different areas of Swat like Manglour, Madrassa Mazhar ul Uloom Green Chowk, Kokari, Dahro, Rangeela and Godhand while two terrorists surrendered before security forces at Fiza Ghat and Nagga.

Meanwhile during search and clearance operation, Frontier Corps NWFP has apprehended seventeen suspected militants from different areas of Bajaur Agency.

Similarly in an other action, five suspected militants including a foreigner were also apprehended from different parts of District Dir. the updates issued here by the FC media cell says.

In Mohmand Agency too the troops of Frontier Corps with the assistance of Aman Committee raided the suspected Headquarters and hideouts of militants in Ambar area. Six hideouts of the militants were destroyed and some weapons were also recovered from the houses of the militants, the Media cell said.

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