These visits indicates that we will see something big soon:
http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=72968
Fighters, forces trade heavy artillery in S Waziristan
Wednesday August 04, 2004 (0320 PST)
WANA, August 05 (Online): Suspected militants and military troops on early Wednesday exchanged heavy artillery in various parts of Southern Waziristan and massive causalities have been feared due to the continuing intense fighting.
In Shakai, suspected militants fired volley of rockets at the military installations. The troops deployed at Piyarzah fort retaliated the assault with heavy artillery. Fighting lasted for almost one hour. However, no damage to property or causality was reported.
Also, the Zalai fort, some 20 kilometers from Wana, came under heavy rockets attack by the militants.
Seven rockets were fired at the fort, of which two landed inside the fort premises. Five others failed to hit the target and landed at an abandoned place near the fort.
Army troops struck back at the fighters, who exchanged heavy artillery with the forces for almost next 50 minutes. Two military personnel were critically injured in the fight.
In another incident, some unknown assailants fired rockets at military camps at Zam Chana, some 25 kilometers from Wana, from western mountains.
Pakistan Army and attackers exchanged heavy fires for almost two hours. The fighting claimed massive killings on both sides but this could not be confirmed by independent sources.
Gunship helicopters were on the patrol after the fighting.
Meanwhile, people continued to suffer due to re-imposition of economic blockade in Wana on Wednesday as well.
An ailing woman belonging to Mastikhel tribe died on her way to hospital in Kiyarzah after all the roads leading to Wana were blocked by the local administration because of economic sanctions.
Vice chief of Army staff visits Wana
Vice Chief of Army Staff, General Muhammad Yousaf Khan visited Wana and other tribal areas in Waziristan on Wednesday, where he met officers and men of various units.
Upon arrival at Zeri Noor Camp he was received by Corps Commander Lieutenant General Safdar Hussain and General Officer Commanding Major General Niaz Muhammad Khan Khattak.
Vice Chief of Army Staff was given a detailed briefing on prevailing situation in the area and ongoing operations therein. The briefing also included various development works being undertaken by the Army towards uplift of the Waziristan Agency.
General Muhammad Yousaf appreciated the efforts of Army and said that people residing in FATA are patriotic Pakistanis and Army will do its utmost to improve their living conditions.
Referring to ongoing operations against foreign militant, he reiterated the Army's resolve to rid the country of all foreign terrorists.
Thereafter the Vice Chief of Army Staff visited Shikai Valley, Santoi, Mantoi, Khamrang, Angoor Adda and Alwara Mandi. He met the troops of various units deployed in these areas.
He lauded their perseverance and efforts both in development works and operations and urged them to continue their efforts with full commitment.
Piazha, source of counter battery artillery fire used to suppress the enemy rockets fired against friendlies in the Shakai Valley, is located 1.2 miles southeast of Tauda China Algad, located on this map:
http://host1.in-motion.net/~jefft/tech/Mapping/afghanistan/taudachina.jpg
Zam China, site of other enemy rocket attacks, is half a mile west of Ezhebe Algad on this map:
http://host1.in-motion.net/~jefft/tech/Mapping/afghanistan/Razmak.jpg
Zalai, site of yet additional enemy rocket attacks, is located 1 mile south of Zilli Khel on this map:
http://host1.in-motion.net/~jefft/tech/Mapping/afghanistan/Mangratay.jpg
Khamrang is also located on this map, co-incident with Dre Narai.
Angoor Adda is also located on this map, on the Pakistan side of the border, within 2 miles and visual range of Shkin.
All other locations mentioned have been previously discussed and don't need repeating, with the exception of Zeri Noor and Alwara Mandi, which I have been unable to locate, using a variety of sources.
This doesn't seem to be any......major development, just some minor general visiting other minor generals, showing off their stars and......dotting i's and crossing t's.
For unknown reasons the enemy does seem to be getting a bit rambunctious, but it's probably nothing significant.
Nothing to see here, people, please move along.
