Pakistan Army launches full-scale operation against militants : 143 militants killed; humanitarian crisis worsens

By Farzana Shah-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Pakistan

Islamabad, 09 May, (Asiantribune.com): About 143 militants have been killed during the military offensive in Swat in the last 24 hours, Pakistan army says on Friday.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said the security forces will remain in the valley until the government's writ is established.

'The army is now engaged in a full-scale operation to eliminate miscreants,' Major General Athar Abbas said.

'They are on the run and trying to block the exodus of civilians from the area. During the last 24 hours approximately over 140 militants have been killed in different areas,' he said.

Security forces carried out a massive air operation and sent fresh troops into Swat in the wake of PM Gilani’s announcement that ‘decisive steps would be taken’ to address the growing militancy.

In a televised address, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the armed forces had been called to "eliminate the militants and terrorists", and called for unity against extremists.

Military spokesperson Major-General Athar Abbas told the news briefing that up to 15,000 security forces were taking part in the operation. The militants "are on the run and trying to block the exodus of civilians from the area," he said,

The spokesman said that Swat's militants had received terrorist training from Al-Qaeda, who has also been funding militants in Waziristan.

Abbas earlier said that the army had killed at least 12 militants in clashes near their stronghold in Kabal Tehsil, and that militant training centers in the mountains have been targeted and destroyed.

As the operation has been intensified after the Pakistani government officially gave go ahead to the country’s military to launch massive operation against the militants, the humanitarian crisis is also becoming a big challenge.

More than 450,000 people have fled the area and neighboring districts, as Pakistani forces have stepped up their offensive against roughly 4,000 to 5,000 militants in the region.

- Asian Tribune -