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

Tuesday, October 27, 2009, Zhul-Q'ada 07, 1430

Pitched battle rages in SW
39 militants killed, 7 troopers martyred, Fazlullah aide held in Swat

Tariq Saeed

Peshawar—Pitched battle between the Army supervised security forces and the insurgents in South Waziristan and Aurakzai Agencies and Hangu District on Monday left another 39 militants dead and many injured. However the security forces also suffered heavy losses and as many as seven security men embraced Shahadat while twenty others sustained wounds during skirmishes with the insurgents.

Reports reaching here said the operation titled Rah-e-Nijat initiated against Hakimullah Mehsud and company in South Waziristan Agency was progressing and the troops after capturing Kotkai, the home town of TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud, were advancing towards three more towns including all important Sara Rogha and Makeen areas.

“The security forces are advancing towards Makeen, Kanigram and Sara Rogha the stronghold of Taliban from Kotkai and Ghorlama areas yet forces are facing tough resistance from the militants”, the sources told Pakistan Observer.

It was reported that while advancing towards Sara Rogha and securing the Gharlai village on main road the Army had an encounter with the insurgents which resulted in killing of 10 miscreants while six men in uniform also embraced Shahadat and 14 others received wounds.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) updates said on Jandola – Sararogha Axis the Security forces moved forward of Kotkai and secured important Road junction at Kazhakas at the roads leading to Inzar Kalle and Sararogha. The dominating bridges east and west of this Road junction have been secured while on Shakai - Kanigram Axis After securing of Chalwastai, the village has been completely cleared and forces moved forward, updates said adding that the forces have surrounded village Sarwek 1 km north of Chalwastai and taken control of surrounding ridges. The complete area has been cleared of terrorists and clearance operation to remove mines, IEDs and booby traps is under way.

During engagements, the ISPR said north of Sarwek village 7 terrorists have been killed while 5 soldiers were injured.

In Razmak the security forces secured Shaga feature and Sharakai Sar in Nawazkot area. These heights dominate Road Nawazkot- Makeen and area all around. 2 terrorists have been killed while 1 soldier got injured due to sniper fire at Sharakai Sar, updates said.

On the other hand the insurgents ambushed a security checkpost in Hangu and 14 persons were killed and many others wounded when the security forces retaliated the assault with full might. A security man was martyred while four others sustained injuries.

Reports say the militants launched attack on security forces’ checkposts located in Tora Dari area late Sunday night but the security forces retaliated killing at least 14 militants and injuring many others, meanwhile in the process, one security man was martyred and four others sustained injuries.

In the meanwhile the security forces pounded militants positions in Aurakzai Agency with the help of fighter jets, killing at least 6 terrorists and destroying two of their hideouts.

Reports reaching here said the gunship helicopters went for heavy bombings on militants positions in Mamozai area of Upper Aurakzai and Shakar Tangi area of Central Aurakzai leaving half a dozen trouble makers dead and wounding many others.

On the other hand as the Operation Rah-e-Rast continued in Malakand Agency, curfew was imposed from Alam Ganj to Shangla for one day only to avert any loss of life after information regarding a potential suicide bomber.

The security forces conducted search operation at Kalam, Bahrain, Nawakilli and Manglour and apprehended 12 suspects including 7 Afghan nationals. One terrorist voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Matta.

In Swat the security forces also reported to have arrested a close associate of Maulana Fazlullah.

Sources said Ali Shah Khan; a close aide of Maulana Fazlullah was picked up during search operation in Charbagh area. Important documents and CDs were also recovered from him. Ali Shah Khan has been shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation, the sources said.
 

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