Taliban battles kill 10 Pakistan troops: officials
Pakistan - 12 November 2009
PESHAWAR, Pakistan At least 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed Thursday when troops encountered the stiffest resistance yet during a four-week offensive against the Taliban, military and security officials said.
The violence erupted as troops trying to clear rebel fighters from the rugged South Waziristan region advanced on areas adjoining the Taliban stronghold of Kanigurram, the military said in a statement.
The military said five soldiers and 22 militants were killed, but army and security officials in the area said 10 to 15 troops died in what would be the deadliest single incident for troops in South Waziristan since October 17.
"At least 10 soldiers were killed in the clashes, which included some face-to-face fighting," one army officer said.
Another official, requesting anonymity, told AFP that the toll could be 15.
"It is the first time we have seen such stiff resistance," he said, describing it the most single deadly incident since nearly 30,000 troops mounted the three-pronged offensive in mid-October.
"At the moment, we have squeezed them (militants) between Makin and Ladha," he said, referring to two notorious Taliban strongholds in the district.
Security officials speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity have frequently released information from the South Waziristan battle field that was later corroborated by head office in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Pakistan launched a punishing air and ground offensive against an estimated 10,000 Tehreek-e-Taliban footsoldiers, vowing to crush their strongholds and blaming the faction for some of the deadliest suicide attacks in the country.
"Security forces advanced further to secure the area of Langar Khel. Intense engagement took place," the military press release said.
"During clashes 14 terrorists were killed while five soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom) and seven were injured," it added.
Another eight militants died in other clashes, the military said.
The army provides the only regular information coming from the frontlines. None of the details can be verified because communication lines are down and journalists and aid workers barred from the area.
The tribal belt, which has become a cauldron of Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters, has been dubbed by Washington the most dangerous place in the world.
The army claims to have overrun a number of key Taliban strongholds including Sararogha, Makin and Kanigurram. They say 524 militants and 53 soldiers have been killed since the offensive began.
The South Waziristan offensive has displaced more than 250,000 people, according to the army, and the United Nations has urged Pakistan to ensure safety and security of civilians during the operation.
Source: AFP
Pakistan - 12 November 2009
PESHAWAR, Pakistan At least 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed Thursday when troops encountered the stiffest resistance yet during a four-week offensive against the Taliban, military and security officials said.
The violence erupted as troops trying to clear rebel fighters from the rugged South Waziristan region advanced on areas adjoining the Taliban stronghold of Kanigurram, the military said in a statement.
The military said five soldiers and 22 militants were killed, but army and security officials in the area said 10 to 15 troops died in what would be the deadliest single incident for troops in South Waziristan since October 17.
"At least 10 soldiers were killed in the clashes, which included some face-to-face fighting," one army officer said.
Another official, requesting anonymity, told AFP that the toll could be 15.
"It is the first time we have seen such stiff resistance," he said, describing it the most single deadly incident since nearly 30,000 troops mounted the three-pronged offensive in mid-October.
"At the moment, we have squeezed them (militants) between Makin and Ladha," he said, referring to two notorious Taliban strongholds in the district.
Security officials speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity have frequently released information from the South Waziristan battle field that was later corroborated by head office in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Pakistan launched a punishing air and ground offensive against an estimated 10,000 Tehreek-e-Taliban footsoldiers, vowing to crush their strongholds and blaming the faction for some of the deadliest suicide attacks in the country.
"Security forces advanced further to secure the area of Langar Khel. Intense engagement took place," the military press release said.
"During clashes 14 terrorists were killed while five soldiers embraced shahadat (martyrdom) and seven were injured," it added.
Another eight militants died in other clashes, the military said.
The army provides the only regular information coming from the frontlines. None of the details can be verified because communication lines are down and journalists and aid workers barred from the area.
The tribal belt, which has become a cauldron of Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters, has been dubbed by Washington the most dangerous place in the world.
The army claims to have overrun a number of key Taliban strongholds including Sararogha, Makin and Kanigurram. They say 524 militants and 53 soldiers have been killed since the offensive began.
The South Waziristan offensive has displaced more than 250,000 people, according to the army, and the United Nations has urged Pakistan to ensure safety and security of civilians during the operation.
Source: AFP
