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

Saturday, November 7, 2009, Zhul-Q'ada 18, 1430

24 militants killed in SWA
Forces battle into Makeen terror base

Tariq Saeed

Peshawar—With Operation Rah-e-Nijat, initiated against the insurgents in South Waziristan agency, entering 21st day, the security forces making substantial advancement moved into another strategic Taliban hub Makeen known as the Base Headquarters of terrorists. The Army led security forces which were also consolidating their positions and conducting search operations in all important towns of Sararogha as well as Ladha and its outskirts, gunned down yet another 24 extremists in parts of SWA.

The forces have also razed to ground the House of former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud.

In the meanwhile, a bloody encounter between the miscreants and the Police force in District Mansehra, Hazara Division on Friday morning resulted in the killing of two alleged terrorists while two cops sustained serious injuries. The law enforcers also seized a number of suicide jackets and ammunition from the insurgent’s vehicle.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) updates say the security forces on Friday moved into the Town of Makeen, which is considered as Base Headquarters of terrorists.

It said on Jandola – Sararogha axis the security forces were consolidating and strengthening their positions around Sararogha where the search and clearance operations continued and the encounter between the forces and the miscreant after the extremists fired 4 rockets on the forces, resulted in the killing of three militants.

Likewise on Shakai – Kanigram axis the security forces were consolidating their positions in and around Ladha and conducting search and clearance operations.

The updates said during search operation in Bangai Khel, Totai Langar Khel and Kot Langar Khel huge quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered and a miscreant was apprehended. The terrorists also fired at position of security forces at Ghunai Gur but the assault which was effectively responded, remained abortive.

ISPR said the security forces Friday entered Makeen and a large part of town has been cleared while in remaining part search and clearance operation was continuing.

The updates said important road and track junction of Makeen-Ladha-Sararogha and road junction Makeen-Ghariom-Sararogha were blocked and the house of former TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud was raised to ground.

It said intense engagements were taking place and terrorists were fleeing leaving behind their weapons and ammunition and as many as 21 terrorists were gunned down by the security forces in Makeen area.

On the other hand during the ongoing operation Rah-e-Rast in Malakand Agency, a Burqa clad woman was followed and arrested by Police in Mingora the headquarters of Swat. She was carrying 1 x Small Machine Gun with two magazines and ammunition.

The updates say the security force also conducted search operation at Shakardarra, Bashkhela and apprehended 2 terrorists and recovered cache of arms and ammunition while three terrorists voluntarily surrendered before the security forces around Mingora.

In the meanwhile, shoot out between the police party and alleged terrorists in Mansehra District Friday morning left two alleged terrorists dead as two cops were injured.

Reports reaching here said the Police intercepted a suspected vehicle at Tehsil Balakot of Mansehra District but the miscreants opened fire on the police party. That ensued a bloody encounter which ended with the killing of two militants and serious injuries to a couple of men in uniform.

The police authorities also claimed to have seized several suicide jackets and large quantity of ammunition from miscreant’s vehicle.

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