Military assault launched on Mingora city

By Farzana Shah, Asian Tribune correspondent in Pakistan

Islamabad, 24 May, (Asiantribune.com): Operation in Swat and Malakand division in NWFP province in Pakistan has intensified as infantry has launched assault on militant’s strong hold, Mingora city. Fierce clashes are reported in streets of Mingora.

Mingora is main urban centre and district headquarters currently under Taliban control. Tough resistance by militant is expected. Clearing Mingora will be probably slowest phase of whole Malakand operation as city is densely congested and intense close quarter combats are expected in houses and buildings. According to military spokesperson parts of the city have been confined by security forces and militants are surrounded from all directions and house-to-house search and destroy operation has initiated.

“17 militants have been killed in last 24 hours in operation”, Said DG ISPR Maj. Gen. Attar Abbas while addressing to media briefing about ongoing operation.

According to ISPR, in Mingora alone eight militants along with one suicide bomber have been killed and an explosive laden vehicle is also destroyed in Makanzai area of city by security forces before it could had hit them.

In a separate assault by security forces in Lower Dir area nine militant got killed.

Answering to question about civilian causalities in result of use of air power and artillery support in operation, DG ISPR clarified, ”Public support is our biggest strength in the ongoing operation and we don’t want to lose that support at any cost so the use of air power and artillery is only limited to country side and mountainous areas. In cities and towns no air power or artillery is being used but security forces are relying on hand-to-hand combat in houses and building and that is reason why operation is and will take more time.”

With limited option of air and artillery support, first time in operation both militant and security forces are in parity with each other on weapons. Security forces and militants both have similar weapons in cities and larger towns but security forces still have advantage as militants have been outnumbered by them. Exploiting this advantage to their favor security forces have cleared parts of Mingora city as well.

“Security forces had cleared the area from Circuit House to the Continental Hotel and currently security forces started clearing Nawan Killi to establish a linkup between forces coming from Fizaghat to Whataki Chowk and Ayub Bridge to Nawan Killi exchange”, DG ISPR told media men in press briefing.

Before entering city, forces attacked on Qambar Ridge a strategic location to overlook Mingora city. In this attack, according to military spokesperson, large amount of ammunition was recovered along with a radio transmitting unit from three caves on the ridge and six militants were also killed on ridge.

Some militants were also got arrested during operation along with their local commander Khurshid alias Qasai (butcher) from Mingora.

Apart from Mingora, Peuchar is another active battle field where security forces have engaged militants with surprise air borne operation. This operation, conducted by SSG (Special Services group) is biggest known air borne operation in 61 year history of Pakistan army. Peuchar is located North of Matta town which was captured by security forces couple of days ago and scores of militants got killed during army raid on town including their local commander Usman alias Qasab.

According to DG ISPR major gains have been made in Peuchar and a bridge, Wenai Bridge, connecting Matta and Peuchar have been captured by security forces. Local population has surrendered their own weapons for self defense have been handed over to security forces in Peuchar.

"Locals have vowed their support in militant identification in Peuchar", Abbas added.

Till the last reports came in vicious gun battles are in progess in street of Mingora city between militants and security forces.

- Asian Tribune -