By Farzana Shah, Asian Tribune correspondent in Pakistan
Islamabad, 23 May, (Asiantribune.com): For the first time in a month long military offensive in restive Swat and Malakand against Taliban, media was allowed to cover war zone in NWFP province of Pakistan. A trip of international reporters in Islamabad was arranged by ISPR on 22nd May 2009, two days after Pakistan army took back Banani Baba Ziarat a strategic mountain which was being used by militants as training and communication base in the valley against security forces.
Pakistan Army personnel took position on ridged mountain top overlooking a vast area around and under more than 7000 feet high Mountain.
“This was being used as training, communication and operational base by Talibans against us for last two years”, Maj. Gen. Saajad Ghani, operational commander for Swat operation, Operation Rah-e-Rast, said in his briefing to media reporters. “They wanted to retain it at all cost.”, Ghani added.
This briefing also revealed some interesting facts about the tactics used by militants in the area. Banai Baba mountain base also houses a complex tunnel network with necessary facilities like electricity and ventilation systems. 
Intense clashes took place before Pakistan army secured the tunnel network and mountain afterwards on 20th May 2009. Tunnel network is similar to one faced by Army in Bajur operation earlier this year. (Image source: Reuters)
Briefing was arranged at military base at Khwazakhela where some of the suspected militants were also presented in front of international media by army.
Some parts of tunnels were being used as residential and meeting areas, while others were used as to dump ammunition. Tunnels also provided excellent trap for unknown persons who try to enter into these as exits points were only known to militants. They fled out from one opening, after army men entered these tunnels, and reentered while shooting at army from other opening.
Apart from tunnel network and arrested militants, plethora of propaganda literature was also recovered along with some chemical sacks being used for making explosive devices and suicide jackets.
Taking over Banai Baba Ziarat is just one step further towards complete abolition of Taliban thread from Malakand. Military offensive on multiple fronts in valley is a tactical move by army to achieve disseverance of Taliban so that advantage of having high ground by Talibans can be counteracted. So far this is paying dividend to security forces thanks to Pakistan Air Force which did some precision strikes on Taliban strong hold before ground forces were able to climb in. But there is a lot to do in and after military operation. 
Pakistani military personnel standing over ridge top of captured mountain along Pakistani flag overlooking adjacent areas. (Image Source: Associated Press)
Many areas of Swat including main town of Mangora is still in hold of Taliban and it is reported that this is place where large number Taliban fighters, including foreigners like Tajiks, Uzbiks and Arabs, are present to take on advances of Pakistan army.
Maj. Gen. Ghani also told the reports that armed forces have encircled the Taliban in various parts of valley and all exits from valley have been blocked. “The noose is tightening around them. It is just matter of time when leadership of Taliban will be eliminated.”
Dense forests and excruciatingly rugged terrain is one challenge to overcome for army in order to move on while IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) planted on roads is another.Due to these difficulties army commanders in area are reluctant to give any time frame for accomplishing operation. But as per army briefing to media on this occasion operation can further extend for two to three months.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
Post new comment