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Operation Rah-e-Nijat
Troops control Kanigram
12 terrorists killed, 6 soldiers injured; Indian hand lurks in SWA
Tariq Saeed/Tanvir Siddiqi
Peshawar/Islamabad—The security forces and the insurgents were
locked in fierce battle in parts of South Waziristan Agency Monday
leaving another dozen miscreants dead as the forces were closed to
capturing the Taliban main strong hold Sararogha. The infighting
also resulted in injuries to six soldiers.
In the meanwhile the military authorities said the forces have taken
full control of the strategic Taliban town Kanigram. Our troops have
taken full control of Kanigram, one of the biggest towns in South
Waziristan and formerly a key Taliban operational centre. Director
General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Athar
Abbas said in Islamabad adding “Kanigram area has been completely
cleared of terrorists,”
He said after house to house search, the complete area has been
cleared of mines and IEDs (improvised explosive devices). We have
also recovered five truck-loads of ammunition, arms and explosives,”
.The DG ISPR said.
The ISPR updates said on Jandola – Sararogha axis the security
forces were extending their parameter of security and closing in
towards Sararogha. Expansion of positions held on the ridges from
different directions towards Sararogha was in progress. It, however,
said sporadic mortar and small arms fire were being received by
security forces from different areas of the town adding during
exchange of fire with terrorists 12 terrorists have been killed
while 6 soldiers got injured.
On Shakai - Kanigaram axis, as the ISPR puts, house to house search
and clearance of compounds were being undertaken at Kanigram town as
hundred percent of the town has been cleared and secured while
during search operation huge quantity of arms and ammunition and
explosives were also recovered.
The Security forces conducted search operation in areas Shin Sar and
Guru Sar and recovered 1000 rounds of SMG while the forces secured
point 7121 and Mingora Sar. Likewise on Razmak- Makeen axis the
security forces, the ISPR claims, were consolidating their positions
on the ridges along road Razmak – Makeen and the important village
of China just adjacent to Makeen was also secured.
In the meanwhile, as the updates say, huge cache of arms and
ammunition have been recovered from different huts, caves and
compounds and the security forces neutralized 20 IEDs during
clearance of China. The security forces also secured Kam Narakai
located 2 kilometers west of China village and recovered huge cache
of ammunition.
On the other hand the operation titled Rah-e-Rast being commenced
against the insurgents in Swat and other parts of Malakand agency
also continued side by side and during the 24 hours, 22 suspects
were apprehended from different areas of Swat while 2 terrorists
have voluntarily surrendered.
During search operation at Peochaar, a tunnel has been discovered
with 20 APM mines, 2 Kilograms explosive, 4 bottles of liquid
chemicals, 250 grams gun powder, 2 directional mines and 1 x,
detonator box. The ISPR said the search operation at an area 7
kilometers north east of Peochaar resulted in seizer of 7 SMGs, 1x
rifle G-3, 1 x rifle 7 mm, 2 x rifles 303 mm and plenty of
ammunition of different calibers.
Similarly during search operation at Sahdarra, 1 kilometer north of
Roringar, 42 SMGs with 1200 rounds and 41 rifles 7 mm have been
recovered while a cache of arms ammunition besides Improvised
Explosive Devices ( IEDs) were recovered during search operation in
Derai near Kanju where a terrorist was also apprehended .
DG ISPR Major General Athar Abbas at a joint news conference
alongwith Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira in Islamabad on
Monday said that Indian arms and literature have been recovered by
the forces and Foreign Office has been informed about it. He said
the morale of the security forces is high and they have full support
of the masses and the nation. He said due to the better strategy of
the armed forces and firm determination the terrorists are now
losing ground.
Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that sixteen thousand
families have been given one month ration and eight thousand
families have been provided with non-food items. He said there is no
shortage of resources to look after the IDPs.
He said school teaching in the second shift begun on Monday in Dera
Ismail Khan where the IDPs teachers have been enrolled to impart
education.
He said one hospital is ready in Dera Ismail Khan having all medical
equipment.
He said another mobile hospital has been prepared and would be moved
anywhere it is needed.
He said to meet water shortage three tubewells are being dug in Tank
while three more are being installed in Dera Ismail Khan.
Answering questions, Major General Athar Abbas said Karama a village
east of Kaniguram has also been cleared. The village was the
stronghold of Uzbek militants.
He said issue of Indian made weapons, literature amd medical
equipment recovered from the area have been referred to Foreign
Office.
Information Minister said the terrorists are on the run and
targetting the innocent people to terrify the nation. They targeted
civilians in Peshawar a few days ago and today they committed
dastardly act in Rawalpinidi.
However, the nation is united and determined to root out the menace
of terrorism. He said the militants can never succeed in their evil
designs. |
