Operation continues in northwestern Pakistan; 64 militants killed

By Farzana Shah-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Pakistan

Peshawar, 07 May, (Asiantribune.com): Military operation continued on Wednesday in Northwestern Pakistan after militants seized key government offices in Swat.

According to security forces sixty-four militants were killed on Wednesday in fighting in Swat and Buner districts.

The army said 37 militants were killed in two clashes in the Swat Valley. Clashes erupted between security forces and militants near an emerald mine in Mingora held by the Taliban, leaving 45 militants and 35 civilians dead.

The military said militants were attacked as a response after militants attacked troops and government buildings. Militants also set two private banks on fire after looting them.

A major military offensive is likely to begin in Swat shortly while gunship helicopters were already pounding militant hideouts in the district's Mingora city. Reinforcements have already been deployed in the valley, according to local citizens.

Operation has been started in Mingora after militants on Tuesday occupied many government buildings and vital installations in Mingora, 80 miles northwest of Islamabad. The militants also started patrolling the town and have taken up positions on rooftops.

According to locals Taliban have come down from hilltops and are occupying local homes. In addition, they have begun stopping people from leaving the valley and intend to use them as human shields.

Local police said that the militants had vacated the buildings and dispersed into the mountains, similar to rugged terrain in neighboring districts where they are fighting guerrilla-style against the military.

Indefinite curfew has been imposed in Swat. Migration of local residents towards safer places from troubled areas has been halted due to curfew.
According Levis officials, curfew was declared in Malakand Agency at 6am on Wednesday.

Local residents had to remain confined to their houses while intermediate examinations have been postponed.

Gunshots were being heard in different areas as the overall tension in the area was causing fear among the locals.

Meanwhile artillery bombarded militant positions in Pir Baba and Sultanwas areas of Buner district, 60 miles northwest of Islamabad, on Wednesday, killing 27 militants and destroying eight vehicles, military sources and Frontier Corps were quoted as saying.

‘Today artillery engaged militant locations at Pir Baba Ziarat and Sultanwas areas. About 27 militants got killed and eight vehicles got destroyed,’ the Frontier Corps said in a statement.

On April 28, Pakistan launched an offensive in Buner to flush out advancing armed Taliban fighters.

More than 200 militants have been killed in the operation, official sources said. However, it has not been possible to confirm death tolls independently, as the terrain is remote and largely cut off.

- Asian Tribune -