Forces take control of Mingora; 25 militants killed

[LahoreEstate]

ISHFAQULLAH SHAWL
ISLAMABAD (May 31 2009): Security forces have taken control of Mingora, the largest town and gateway to Swat Valley and unearthed five tunnels with huge quantity of arms, ammunition and logistics of militants, while 25 militants including two hardcore commanders were killed and three arrested, said Major General Athar Abbas, Director General, Inter-Services Public Relations here on Saturday.

"We have recovered arms and ammunition of different makes from terrorists during 'Operation Rah e Raast' including Russian, Indian and American made arms," Abbas said while briefing the media about the operation. He said that Nato military leadership in Afghanistan has admitted that over 40 percent arms, ammunition and other logistics of its forces have been captured by Taliban.

"We have been informed that this arms, ammunition cache has become lifeline for terrorists," he added. "Second and third tier of terrorist leadership has been wiped out during the operation while the top tier was also targeted but its killing is not confirmed yet," Abbas said, adding that it is difficult to attack the top leadership because they are center of gravity and have gone into hiding.

To a question, he said that vigilance on roads coming out of Swat was enhanced to block the escape of terrorists, but it is not possible to seal the entire Swat Valley. To another question, Abbas said that so far 1217 terrorists have been killed in operation Rah e Raast and 70 have been arrested while 81 security personnel have been martyred and 250 injured.

He said that forces had full control of Mingora, though they were still facing pockets of resistance from fighters on the outskirts of the town. He said that security forces have started restoration of utilities including electricity, water and gas supply to Mingora to pave way for return of IDPs, while hospitals were opened and doctors and nurses were deputed.

He said a sufficient number of mobile generators have been provided to run the water pumping stations in Mingora, while repair work for restoration of electricity in Mingora has started. Full restoration will take at least 2 weeks, he added. Giving details of the operation during last 24 hours, General Abbas said that 25 terrorists including two commanders Misbah ud Din alias Abu Saeed and Sultan Khan were killed and three were apprehended. One soldier was martyred and four others injured including one civilian driver.

He said that in Peochar valley training centers of notorious terrorist commanders Lal Din, Said Jalil, Mian Said Liaq were destroyed, including training base of MFU while five 100-ft long, 12-ft wide and 10-ft high tunnels were discovered in Peochar valley, where terrorists had stocked huge quantity of arms, ammunition and other items for logistic support. Twelve unregistered double cabins and a dumper were also recovered in the area.

Security Forces have successfully secured Nawagai and Najigram areas of Mingora and recovered huge quantity of arms and ammunition from Nawagai area, ISPR chief said, adding that six improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were neutralised and one dead body of a terrorist was found during the operation. He praised the local people saying that operation is successful due to local public support, as they have started pinpointing militants who were trying to present them in the guise of innocent citizens.

He said that the security forces have commenced the operation towards Kalam, Gulibagh and secured the area upto Kadam (3 kms north of Bahrain), a soldier and a civilian driver were martyred and two soldiers injured in an IED explosion near Chamtalai. He also informed the media that today a team of 21 doctors with sufficient medicines has reached Mingora for re-establishing civil hospital.

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