Taliban getting money, arms from across the border: ISPR

[Naveed Yaseen]

ISHFAQULLAH SHAWL & SEHRISH WASIF
ISLAMABAD (updated on: May 17, 2009, 02:51 PST): Taliban militants are being provided money and armament from across the border by foreign agencies to destabilise Pakistan, while they are getting terrorists reinforcement from the countries bordering Afghanistan, said Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Major General Athar Abbas, here on Saturday.

In his regular briefing about re-dubbed operation "Rah-e-Raast" (previously known as Rah-e-Haq), General Abbas declined to blame India for Swat insurgency saying, "It is the subject of Foreign Office, which is having feedback from different ministries and I don't want to pass any comment on this issue."

Abbas told media that 27 militants of foreign origin have so far been killed in the fighting. Security forces during the operation carried out air and ground assaults against Taliban and killed 47 militants, while three security personnel were injured, Abbas told media.

He said that the operation is successfully under way in Swat, Shangla and Buner districts of Malakand Division while four militants have been arrested from Hayasirai and Shamozai. Security forces conducted search and destroy operation against terrorist hideouts in village Adai, Ramotai Gato Sar Banda and base of Banai Baba Ziarat.

"Main terrorist leader of Shangla sector, Zaman has been killed in Banai Baba Ziarat. While Sher Alam, another important terrorist leader from Malam Jabba was arrested in Shangla," he said, adding that in Mingora, another important terrorist commander Mukhtar alias Rashid Lala has been killed. Abbas said a militant den was destroyed in Shamozai area by targeting a house where militants were hiding.

"Security Forces are consolidating their positions in Udigram. Biadra Markaz, the stronghold of terrorists on Matta - Durushkhel road has been destroyed," DG ISPR said. Abbas said that intense exchange of fire took place between Security Forces at Makan Bagh, Grid Station, Airport, Ayub Bridge and Baniam Bridge.

To a question regarding the foreign help to Pakistan Army in execution of operation Rah-e-Raast, he said Pakistan Army is fully capable of executing the operation against militants and no foreign help was sought for carrying out the operation. Abbas showed journalists' video footage of militant hideouts and ammunition dumps destroyed by security forces during raids in Swat. "We have destroyed a full-fledged training camp in Peochar valley, where firing ranges, residences and ammunition dumps were destroyed," he added.

He said forces were getting closer to Mingora, the main town in the district of Swat, to check on militants trying to flee the area, where residents widely expect the military to launch an assault to retake control. Military spokesman said the Army has cleared the area from Khwazakhela to Shangla from militants and it is safe for residents of the area. "People of these areas, forced to live as Internally Displaced Persons in camps, might return to their homes," he added.

To a question about FM Radios being run by militants, Abbas said that militants were using 36 FM radio transmitters in Swat, however, they are able to continue their transmission only for 2-3 minutes as the military is capable to locate and jam their transmission.

To another question, ISPR chief said that it was impossible to confirm such death tolls independently, which would add up to more than 980 militants dead and there has been no official word on civilian casualties since the military launched its offensive last month.

Monitoring Desk adds: Gunship helicopters pounded militants' hideouts in Orakzai Agency, killing twelve people including a miscreant, Aaj TV reported. According to the channel, gunship helicopters fired shells on militants in Orakzai Agency, killing 12 people including a miscreant and injuring 15 others. Injured people were shifted to Hangu and nearby hospitals, the channel added.

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