Posted on 05/13/2009 12:34:21 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Fighter jets and attack helicopters pounded Taliban hideouts in the northwest on Wednesday.
Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled the punishing offensive, now into its 17th day, escaping also out of the reach of Taliban fighters who have terrorised the local population in a bloody campaign to enforce sharia law.
The air attacks targeted Taliban strongholds across the Swat valley, AFP quoted security officials as saying.
Helicopter gunships also swung into action in the neighbouring district of Lower Dir, where the military has been on the offensive since April 26 after Taliban fighters advanced within 60 miles of Islamabad.
Up to 15,000 security forces are taking on about 4,000 well-armed fighters in Swat in what Islamabad calls a battle to ‘eliminate’ militants.
‘All exit roads from Mingora have been closed. Our troops have surrounded the city to deny any exit to militants,’ said a military official, referring to the main town in Swat.
‘We have also blocked the road to Dir as militants were using the route to flee to the tribal district of Bajaur,’ the official said.
Overall, the military says 751 militants and 29 troops have been killed in its operations in Lower Dir, Buner and Swat, although there is no independent confirmation of the figures and no word on civilian casualties.
On Tuesday, the military operation in Swat entered a crucial stage when commando units were dropped by helicopters on mountains around the Taliban headquarters in Peochar, said to be the hideout of the chieftain of militants in the region, Mullah Fazlullah.
Official sources said that a fleet of at least 13 helicopters flew over the Peochar valley and dropped commandos on mountains as the army intensified its offensive in the region.
People in adjoining Dir also reported seeing several helicopters hovering over the area and dropping commandos on hills in Niag Darra, Karo Darra and Turmang Darra areas.
According to sources, around 1,200 troops backed by tanks and artillery reached Turmang Darra in Upper Dir on Tuesday. Planes and helicopters flew over the area.
About the Peochar action, the military’s Swat Media Centre said: ‘Jetfighters and helicopter gunships shelled the region before dropping special services group (SSG) personnel in the region.’
Local people said ground forces moved towards the area which is considered to be ‘rear base’ of militants. Besides Mullah Fazlullah, his close lieutenants Muslim Khan, Shah Dawran, Mehmood Khan and Ibne Amin are also said to be based there.
Peochar, surrounded by dense forests, is a strategic location with several training camps, centres for suicide bombers, arms depots, torture cells, private jails where kidnapped people and ‘prisoners’ are kept, ‘courts’ and offices.
Taliban’s shura held its meetings in Peochar and issued directives to militants in the district and other parts of Malakand region.
Officials on Tuesday said four militants were killed when helicopters gunships shelled their positions in Imamdheri. Militant hideouts in Malam Jabba were also attacked.
The district headquarters of Mingora is still under the control of Taliban. They are patrolling the streets and holding positions on rooftops.
Power, water, and gas supply to the whole district remained disconnected, adding to the misery of local people. Government employees are yet to receive salary for March because all banks are closed.
In Shangla, a child and another non-combatant were killed on Tuesday and five other people were injured in Jabbar area adjacent to Malam Jabba. About 250 displaced families arrived in Lelonai area of Shangla which has been under curfew for 48 hours.
At least 11 militants were killed and nine others injured during a search operation and troops cleared the area from Chakdara to Gaddar. Four suspected militants were arrested.
Troops took positions on rooftops along the Timergara-Peshawar road. A security man was killed and another injured in Osakai area.
Sources said 40 to 45 bodies were lying in the premises of the Government Degree College in Gulabad which had been occupied by militants and shelled by security forces. A soldier was killed and a lieutenant injured in a clash near Gulabad.
Troops advanced to Tendodag, a stronghold of the Taliban, after taking control of the GT Road.
Two paramilitary soldiers — Amjad of Mohamand Riffles and Javed of Dir Scouts — were shot dead in Chakdara for violating curfew. They were going to Peshawar and Swat to resume duty. Another man was injured.
Security forces also took control of Hayaseri and set up a military camp there.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.