Pakistan army kill 14 militants in tribal area operation

Posted by ThunderBolt on November 21st, 2009 No Comments Printer-Friendly

ISLAMABAD, — At least 14 militants were killed while six soldiers lost their lives during the military operation in Pakistan’s tribal area in the last 24 hours, an army statement said Saturday.

A Pakistani Army helicopter flies as soldiers patrol in Sararogha town, which was the stronghold of Taliban militants in troubled South Waziristan, November 17, 2009 (Getty Images)

Pakistani security forces conducted search and clearance operations in South Waziristan on three axises. During the operation in Razmak and Mkeen area, 14 militants were killed while six soldiers including an officer lost their lives, the Inter Services Public Relations said in the daily press release. Another four soldiers were injured in the operations.

Huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered, the army said.

According to the army statistics, Pakistani security forces have killed more than 540 militants since they launched the ground assault on Oct. 17 in the South Waziristan, advancing towards the main base of Taliban militants in Pakistan. The army said that about 30,000 soldiers are in place to take on an estimated 10,000 hard-core Taliban militants in the lawless area.

The military said that the operation was launched in six towns of the area in three directions and is likely to continue for six to eight weeks, but no final deadline can be given.

Besides, Pakistani security forces also apprehended two suspects in Swat and Malakand area of North West Frontier Province.

Pakistani Army Chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said Saturday that the troops will stay in Swat till restoration of complete peace in the region.

“The protection of the people of Swat is the foremost duty of the Army, ” Kayani said on his visit of Swat.

Pakistani security forces launched the military operation against Taliban militants late April after militants in early April entered the Buner district from the neighboring Swat district and refused to vacate the area despite their pledge to do so. The army said that it almost cleared the area in the past six months. (Xinhua)