Operation Rah-e-Rast (Swat)

[courageneverdies]

Rawalpindi - October 2, 2009:​

Update Operation (Rah e Rast) 2nd October 2009


1. Search and clearance operations are continuing in Swat and Malakand.

2. Swat

a. Security forces conducted search operation at Shah Dheri and apprehended a local commander Rehmat.

b. 7 suspected terrorists voluntarily surrendered to Security forces at Barshaur

c. Security forces conducted search operation at Shahid Khapa near Piochar and Sarsanai and apprehended 5 terrorists.

d. Security forces coducted search operation at Derai near Kanju and defused 6 IEDs.

e. Security forces conducted search operation at Zulamkot-Serai and killed 3 terrorists.

3. Relief Activities.

307,006 cash cards have been distributed amongst the IDPs of Malakand.

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KIT OVer n OUt

 

[owais.usmani]

 

[courageneverdies]

Rawalpindi - October 4, 2009:

Update Operation Rah-e-Rast October 4, 2009

1. Search and clearance operations are continuing in Swat and Malakand.

2. Swat

a. 13 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Drushkhela.

b. 7 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Bar Shaur and Nazarabad.

c. 6 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Gwaleri and Chuprial.

d. Security forces conducted search operation at Chuprial and apprehended 4 suspects while found a tunnel in the house of terrorist Saeed.

e. Security forces and Members of Defence Committee conducted joint search operation in area Mora near Najigram and killed 3 terrorists while 16 were apprehended.

3. Buner.

Security forces apprehended 4 suspects from area Shobrang near Jowar.

4. North Waziristan Agency.

Terrorists fire raided with 3 rockets and small arms at security forces at Kabutar Post, resultantly 3 soldiers were injured.

5. Relief Activities.

a. 308,283 cash cards have been distributed amongst the IDPs of Malakand.

b. 12 trucks of ration and relief goods have been distributed amongst the IDPs of Malakand.

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KIT Over n Out

 

[Xeric]

One accused identified in public girl flogging case: Pak

One accused identified in public girl flogging case

Updated on Sunday, October 04, 2009, 15:21 IST Tags:girl, flogging, accused, Pakistan

Islamabad: Pakistani authorities have identified one of the Taliban militants seen in a video of the public flogging of a girl in the restive Swat valley – an incident that had shocked people around the world earlier this year.

Ameer alias Chota Aftab, who was allegedly involved in flogging the 17-year-old girl, was identified by authorities at the central jail in Dera Ismail Khan.

He was arrested some time ago along with eight other persons from Swat, officials were quoted as saying by TV news channels yesterday.

Officials said Ameer had been taken to an undisclosed location for questioning.

The video of the girl's flogging, shot on a mobile phone and circulated by rights activists, had sparked shock and revulsion across Pakistan and around the world in April.

It had also generated public support for the government's decision to launch a military operation against the Taliban in Swat.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ordered an inquiry into the incident and Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary too took suo moto notice of the issue.

Bureau Report

 

[courageneverdies]

Rawalpindi - October 5, 2009:

Update Operation (Rah- e- Rast) 5th October 2009

1. Search and clearance operations are continuing in Swat and Malakand.

2. Swat

a. Security forces conducted search operation at Baqi Banda and Dhand and apprehended 10 terrorists.

b. 5 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Darmai, Bar Shaur and Alamganj.

c. Security forces conducted search operation at Aligrama and apprehended 1 terrorist.

d. Security forces conducted search operation at Mingora and apprehended the relatives of terrorist commander Fateh.

3. Waziristan

a. Terrorists fire raided with rockets and small arms on security forces at Razmak camp, resultantly 4 soldiers were injured.

b. Terrorists fired raided with rockets at Wana check post, which was effectively responded by security forces.

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KIT Over n Out

 

[TaimiKhan]

Top Fazlullah aide killed in Swat clash

Wednesday, 07 Oct, 2009


PESHAWAR: Pakistan's army Wednesday said it had killed a top aide of fugitive Swat Taliban commander Mullah Fazlullah, as they continued their hunt for militant chieftains in the northwest valley.

Nisar, also known as Ghazi Baba, one of 15 Swat insurgents commanding a 10 million rupee (120,000 dollar) bounty offered by authorities in May, was killed in a clash just outside Swat's main town Mingora on Wednesday, the army said.

‘Nisar, alias Ghazi Baba, was killed in an encounter. His son was arrested by the security forces,’ Mushtaq Khan, a spokesman for the army-run Swat Media Centre, told AFP by telephone.

Another security official based in the area said that a pre-dawn operation was launched in Matta town, about 25 kilometres northwest of Mingora, the main hub in the one-time tourist paradise of Swat valley.

The Swat Taliban were not immediately available to confirm the death, but residents in Matta told AFP by telephone that they had seen Baba's corpse.

‘We have seen his dead body. It was later taken by the security forces,’ a resident said, requesting anonymity for fear of militant reprisals.

Swat slipped out of government control after radical cleric Fazlullah rose up in July 2007, commanding thousands of followers who beheaded opponents, burnt schools and fought to enforce a harsh brand of Islamic law.

Fazlullah remains at large with a 50-million-rupee bounty on his head, but in September the military arrested four of his top aides in a sweep following a determined military assault to purge the Taliban threat in Swat.

Pakistan launched the blistering offensive against the Taliban after militants marched out of Swat and advanced to within 100 kilometres of the capital Islamabad in April.

The military says the area is clear and most of the two million people who fled their homes have returned, but sporadic outbreaks of violence continue, while some fear the Swat Taliban are regrouping elsewhere in the northwest.

DAWN.COM | Provinces | Top Fazlullah aide killed in Swat clash

 

[courageneverdies]

Rawalpindi - October 7, 2009:

Update Operation (Rah e Rast) 7 October 2009​

1. Search and clearance operations are continuing in Swat and Malakand.

2. Swat

a. During search operation conducted by security forces, important terrorists commander Nisar alias Ghazi Baba from tehsil Matta has been killed this morning at Beha Valley. His headmoney was ten million rupees. He played active part in terrorist activities in Piochar and Matta. He was very close to the central shora of MFU. He was also involved in the killing of the personnel of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and local notables. His son has also been apprehended.

b. Security Forces conducted search operation at Mangazai Kandao near Miandam and killed 5 terrorists while 4 were apprehended.

c. Security Forces conducted search operation at Bar Bamakhela and apprehended a local terrorist commander Alamgir.

d. 7 terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces at Mehak near Shah Dheri and Sarsanai.

e. 5 terrorists voluntarily surrendered themselves to security forces at Manja near Tutan Banda.

3. Waziristan.

Terrorists fired 2 mortar rounds and 6 rockets at Kabutar Check Post. Resultantly, 3 soldiers got injured.

---

KIT Over n Out

 

[PakShaheen79]

I am waiting for final push against these terrorists in South Waziristan Agency.

 

[fatman17]

the fall-out from the kerry/luger bill may postpone the ops in SWA.

 

[Xeric]

Bodies of 15 suspected Taliban found in Pakistan's Swat: army

Bodies of 15 suspected Taliban found in Pakistan's Swat: army

2009-10-08 16:00:00

The bullet-riddled bodies of 15 suspected Taliban militants were found on Thursday in Pakistan's northwest Swat, officials said, amid concerns of extra-judicial killings in the valley.

Pakistani officials have previously reported 251 corpses dumped next to roads, beheaded or strung up in Swat since July, when the government declared a massive military operation had almost defeated Taliban fighters.

"I can confirm that 15 bodies were found today and our information is that they are militants," army spokesman Major Mushtaq Khan told AFP.

"They might have been the victims of infighting among militant groups or killed by local people."

Residents in the rural Swat town of Mangalore on Thursday alerted authorities to the bodies dumped in three different areas.

Doctor Naeemullah Khan said that 15 bodies were brought to the rural health centre with all the victims apparently shot dead during the past 12 hours.

Pakistani security forces are already facing questions about the mysterious appearance of bodies of suspected militants that have been turning up in the former tourist playground of Swat, some showing signs of torture.

The military claims to have almost cleared the scenic valley of Islamist fighters and says the dead rebels were killed by avenging local residents, but human rights groups have accused the army of extra-judicial killings.

The military denies any responsibility and says no orders have been issued to execute suspected militants.

Swat slipped out of government control in July 2007 after radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah mounted a violent campaign in which his followers beheaded opponents, burnt schools and fought to enforce Islamic sharia law.

The army launched an offensive in April and says at least 2,150 militants and 177 soldiers have been killed in Swat, Buner and Lower Dir districts.

But despite government claims of success, clashes continue to erupt in Swat, with the military on Thursday reporting that they had killed 17 militants in search operations across the district in the past 24 hours.

The military has now set its sights on an offensive in the semi-autonomous northwest tribal region along the Afghan border, where Taliban and Al-Qaeda rebels are believed to be holed up and in training.

The army statement Thursday said that militants had fired eight rockets at the Razmak army camp in tribal North Waziristan, wounding four soldiers.

Pakistan's military has been launching sporadic air strikes in the tribal area for months and massing troops on its fringes, but there is no word yet on when a promised full-scale onslaught might begin.

The military's Swat offensive forced 1.9 million civilians from their homes, most of them seeking refuge with relatives and the rest crowding into refugee camps, creating a humanitarian crisis for impoverished Pakistan.

 

[Xeric]

DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Swat to be reopened for tourists soon: army

Swat to be reopened for tourists soon: army

Thursday, 08 Oct, 2009

MINGORA: Pakistan’s Swat valley will soon be reopened to tourists, an army commander said on Thursday, although sporadic violence continued with 17 militants killed in the latest clashes.

The army has largely cleared the former Taliban bastion in the valley, once a prime tourist destination 120 km northwest of Islamabad, in an offensive launched in late April.

The military says more than 2,000 militants have been killed although there has been no independent verification of that toll. In the latest violence, 17 militants were killed in several clashes, the military said in a statement.

But despite that, the commander of forces in Swat said the valley would soon be ready for visitors.

‘The operation has been a complete success and we plan to open the valley to local tourists within a month,’ Major-General Ashfaq Nadeem told reporters in the region’s man town of Mingora.

The offensive in Swat came after Taliban advances early this year and a string of attacks in cities.

The army is now turning its attention to the South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, the headquarters of Pakistani Taliban militants.

The Swat valley with its Alpine scenery, ancient Buddhist ruins and trout fishing was for years a favourite tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors.

Young Western backpackers used to flock there for a rest on the overland trail from Europe to India.

The valley was also home to Pakistan’s only ski resort, but militants burned down the hotel at the resort last year.

Nadeem said he wanted to get the message out that the valley was safe.

‘We’ve asked the provincial government to arrange seminars on tourism and tell people that militancy has ended and tourists can come,’ he said. —Reuters

 

[Xeric]

Pakistan army kill 8 militants, arrest 13 in operations_English_Xinhua

Pakistan army kill 8 militants, arrest 13 in operations

English_Xinhua 2009-10-09 18:24:22

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's security forces killed eight militants and arrested 13 others in the continued search and clearance operations in northwest Pakistan's Swat and Malak and districts during the last 24 hours, the army said Friday.

The army said in a daily update that the security forces killed six militants during the operation at Banjot and Kasona near Malamjaba in Swat and another 12 voluntarily surrendered themselves in various areas of Swat.

Also in Swat, the security forces destroyed eight tunnels used by militants during a search operation at Mangaltan, said the army.

In North Waziristan tribal agency, a blast took place near a security forces check post at Mana, killing one soldier and wounding three others. In a retaliatory fire, two Uzbek militants were killed, said the statement.

Militants also fired 24 rockets at Razmak and Kabutar check posts of security forces, resultantly injuring four soldiers, it said.

In Darra Adam Khel, the security forces apprehended a disabled civilian suicide bomber at a security forces check post, it added.

Nearly 2,000 militants have been killed since 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.

 

[SMC]

DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Swat to be reopened for tourists soon: army

Swat to be reopened for tourists soon: army

Thursday, 08 Oct, 2009

MINGORA: Pakistan’s Swat valley will soon be reopened to tourists, an army commander said on Thursday, although sporadic violence continued with 17 militants killed in the latest clashes.

The army has largely cleared the former Taliban bastion in the valley, once a prime tourist destination 120 km northwest of Islamabad, in an offensive launched in late April.

The military says more than 2,000 militants have been killed although there has been no independent verification of that toll. In the latest violence, 17 militants were killed in several clashes, the military said in a statement.

But despite that, the commander of forces in Swat said the valley would soon be ready for visitors.

‘The operation has been a complete success and we plan to open the valley to local tourists within a month,’ Major-General Ashfaq Nadeem told reporters in the region’s man town of Mingora.

The offensive in Swat came after Taliban advances early this year and a string of attacks in cities.

The army is now turning its attention to the South Waziristan region on the Afghan border, the headquarters of Pakistani Taliban militants.

The Swat valley with its Alpine scenery, ancient Buddhist ruins and trout fishing was for years a favourite tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors.

Young Western backpackers used to flock there for a rest on the overland trail from Europe to India.

The valley was also home to Pakistan’s only ski resort, but militants burned down the hotel at the resort last year.

Nadeem said he wanted to get the message out that the valley was safe.

‘We’ve asked the provincial government to arrange seminars on tourism and tell people that militancy has ended and tourists can come,’ he said. —Reuters

Not right now I am afraid. While suicide bombings keep happening regularly in cities, no one will come.

 

[fatman17]

Army says 95% of Buner cleared of Taliban

BUNER: The military’s spokesman in Buner, Major Akif, told elders of a jirga in Sultanwas village that 95 percent of the district had been cleared of the Taliban, saying the terrorists must surrender or face action.

He made it clear that anti-state elements involved in terror activities must surrender or their houses would be demolished. Major Akif urged locals to stand by the army to flush the terrorists out.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Council Gadezai Nazim Afsar Khan said the days of Taliban brutality were over and hoped that the people of the area would not fall for the Taliban propaganda again.

He asked the people to stand by the army and security forces to protect and ensure peace in the area.

app

 

[fatman17]

First Sikh rangers officer completes training

ISLAMABAD: The first Sikh sub-inspector of the Pakistan Rangers, 25-year-old Amarjeet Singh, has completed training from the Pakistan Rangers Academy, Mandi Bahauddin.

According to a private TV channel, the officer belongs to Nankana Sahib in Punjab. He was among 763 officials who passed out from the academy.

Expressing his happiness at having completed the rigorous training, Amarjeet vowed to serve the country, saying he was ready to sacrifice his life for the motherland.

app