Thursday, August 07, 2008

By Mushtaq Yusufzai & Hasbanullah Khan

KHAR/PESHAWAR: Frontier Corps (FC) and Bajaur Levies personnel, backed by gunship helicopters, finally launched an operation against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)-linked militants in the Bajaur tribal region on Wednesday.

Also, fearing clashes between the security forces and militants, villagers were reportedly fleeing their houses for safer places. Official sources told The News that gunship helicopters targeted suspected hideouts and locations of the militants led by TTP deputy chief, Maulana Faqir Mohammad at Loisam area in Nawagai town.

There were also reports of casualties suffered by the two sides in the fighting. Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said the troops took action against militants when they attacked a security post at Loisam.

He said two gunship choppers targeted the militants’ suspected hideouts but there were no details about the casualties. Earlier, in the morning, the sources said the security forces backed by tanks moved towards Loisam town from Khar, the regional headquarters Bajaur Agency, and recaptured a security post from the militants almost after eight months.

Before their movement from Khar, the sources said, the security forces imposed a curfew on the area and on the Khar-Peshawar road.Residents of Loisam town told The News by telephone that villagers welcomed the security forces and heaved a sigh of relief as they had reportedly got fed up with the self-styled Shariah and harsh policies of the local Taliban.

Soon after their arrival at Loisam, the troops set up roadside checkpoints. The militants attacked the post with heavy weapons when came to know about the arrival of the troops in the town. The troops repulsed the attack.


http://thenews.jang.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=16474