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Operation Rah-e-Rast (Swat)

Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed is in charge of the rehabilitation and relief work surrounding the fighting the in Swat. He has nothing to do with the SSG which in any case is commanded by a Maj Gen and not a Lt Gen.

Understood sir. But, are you suggesting that his knowledge of the operation would not be substantial or reliable enough to make such a claim?
 
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Gents,

Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed is in charge of the rehabilitation and relief work surrounding the fighting the in Swat. He has nothing to do with the SSG which in any case is commanded by a Maj Gen and not a Lt Gen.

the general heads the Special Support Group which is as Blain2 has clarified!
 
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Understood sir. But, are you suggesting that his knowledge of the operation would not be substantial or reliable enough to make such a claim?
No, the info is credible.He was just clarifying regarding his position and General Nadeem is very very senior general so his info is 100% credible.
 
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Army jets bomb militant hideouts in Swat: military

PESHAWAR (updated on: May 18, 2009, 12:32 PST): Pakistani fighter jets and attack helicopters bombarded militant hideouts in the northwest Swat valley on Monday, intensifying an offensive around a key Taliban stronghold, officials said.

The military said troops were closing in on Mingora, the capital of Swat and under Taliban control, as part of a punishing anti-militant offensive, which the United Nations said displaced more than 1.1 million people in two weeks.

"Fighter jets and helicopter gunships targeted hideouts of Taliban militants in Peochar and Takhta Bund areas in Swat on Monday morning," a military official said on condition of anonymity.

Another security official confirmed shelling against suspected militant hideouts in the two areas and described Takhta Bund as the main supply route for Taliban holed up in Mingora.

Pakistani authorities say more than 1,000 militants and 45 soldiers have been killed in a three-pronged onslaught launched in the northwest districts of Lower Dir on April 26, Buner on April 28 and Swat on May 8.

The military says up to 15,000 troops were taking on about 4,000 well-armed fighters in Swat.
 
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Political forces urged to develop consensus on national issues

ISLAMABAD (updated on: May 18, 2009, 12:27 PST): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday urged the political forces to involve into reconciliation and consultation on finding solutions to the issues of national importance.

In his opening remarks at the All Parties Conference being held at PM House, the prime minister said the country’s ongoing situation required the political forces to develop a consensus on vital issues keeping in view the national sovereignty and integrity.

The All Parties Conference being convened by the prime minister to discuss Swat situation, is being attended by the leaders of major political parties including PML(N)’s Nawaz Sharif, JUI’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman, MQM’s Farooq Sattar, ANP’s Asfandyar Wali Khan, Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Imran Khan, Awami Muslim League’s Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, PML(Q)’s Ch Shujaat Hussain, PPP(Sherpao’s) Aftab Ahmad Sherpao and many others.

Prime Minister Gilani said the army action against militants in Swat was successfully continuing, however said it was not the permanent solution to the problem.

“Unless political forces do not step into resolving the situation, there is no guarantee to a sustainable solution [against terrorism and extremism],” he said.

Gilani said the government always adopted the policy of dialogue, deterrence and development in tribal areas, for which it faced criticism by political forces for “following the foreign directives.”

“I want to make it clear that the focus of our policies is only Pakistan, and nothing else. We are engaged in ensuring peace and prosperity of the country, with due patience,” he said.

Gilani said the army action became a necessity when militants treated the innocent people with violence and brutality, and made their lives unbearable.

He mentioned numerous cases including flogging of a girl, desecration of sufi shrines, forcing people to follow self-interpretation of Islam and training youngsters to become terrorists, as the main reasons that encouraged the government to call-in army in the area.

The Prime Minister said the history and culture of Swat is adamant of the fact that its locals are peace-loving and law-abiding people. However, he said that when people were made hostage by the militants, they helplessly looked towards the government to free them.

“Thus it was decided to call-in the army in best national interest and for the safety of our own people,” he said.

Prime Minister Gilani said the army would remain present in Swat valley until peace was fully restored and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) be returned to their homes.

He said the rehabilitation of IDPs was equally important along with the military action, and said the government would leave no stone unturned for their rehabilitation and the reconstruction of damaged property.

“The displaced people of Swat are the guests of the entire country. They should not consider themselves as dejected, because the government honours their sacrifice,” he said.

Gilani said the government would follow a clear and practical strategy in the development of Swat including compensation of damaged property and initiation of new development projects to involve the displaced people in national mainstream.

He mentioned the already set up high-level Special Support Group for the rehabilitation of IDPs, and added that soon an international Donors Conference would be held in Islamabad for raising funds for the displaced people of Swat.

He said the federal government had already provided Rs one billion to the provincial government to ensure the uplift of IDPs, while the proposal of giving them concession on taxes was also under consideration.

Gilani said those who were trying to blackmail the state institutions in the disguise of imposing Shariat, had been revealed before the nation.

“We are determined to defeat every conspiracy being hatched in the name of Islam,” he said.

Prime Minister also dispelled the impression that Pakistan’s nuclear assets would fall to the prey of militants.

He said Pakistan’s nuclear assets were safe and any force having foul intentions would be dealt strictly
 
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Reports from msnbc yesterday say 1000 taliban militants killed by army :)
 
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APC endorsed Swat offensive: Kaira
Updated at: 2031 PST, Monday, May 18, 2009

APC endorsed Swat offensive: Kaira ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that all political parties have fully supported the ongoing military offensive against the insurgents in Swat.

Addressing a news conference here on Monday, he said: “All parties unanimously approved a resolution in favour of the Swat operation.”

The resolution called for unity of nation against the insurgency in Swat and other parts of Malakand.” The APC also endorsed the Oct 22 parliament’s resolution in which it was said that the constitution and the security of Pakistan would be safeguarded.

Kaira said that every party had openly expressed its views in the all parties’ conference.

“From day one, our action plan was to adopt the three-pronged strategy of dialogue, development and deterrence,” he said, adding that Nizam-e-Adl accord was violated from the very first day.

The federal minister said that the parliamentary leaders of almost all political parties attended the conference convened by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani about Swat operation.

"Pakistan nuclear arsenals are fully secure under command and control system," he said.

APC endorsed Swat offensive: Kaira - GEO.tv
 
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APC endorsed Swat offensive: Kaira
Updated at: 2031 PST, Monday, May 18, 2009

APC endorsed Swat offensive: Kaira ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that all political parties have fully supported the ongoing military offensive against the insurgents in Swat.

Addressing a news conference here on Monday, he said: “All parties unanimously approved a resolution in favour of the Swat operation.”

The resolution called for unity of nation against the insurgency in Swat and other parts of Malakand.” The APC also endorsed the Oct 22 parliament’s resolution in which it was said that the constitution and the security of Pakistan would be safeguarded.

Kaira said that every party had openly expressed its views in the all parties’ conference.

“From day one, our action plan was to adopt the three-pronged strategy of dialogue, development and deterrence,” he said, adding that Nizam-e-Adl accord was violated from the very first day.

The federal minister said that the parliamentary leaders of almost all political parties attended the conference convened by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani about Swat operation.

"Pakistan nuclear arsenals are fully secure under command and control system," he said.

APC endorsed Swat offensive: Kaira - GEO.tv

now this is great. i was a bit scared that PML-N might express her reservasion. Imran khan and JI's reaction was expected. but again even these two parties didnt make much noise during the confrence
 
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Female IDPs blame Taliban for their hardships

* Say Taliban destroyed their children’s schools, prevented them from going to jobs

By Akhtar Amin
May 18, 2009

MARDAN: Displaced women from conflict-hit Swat rejected the Taliban form of sharia, saying it was due to the Taliban that they faced hardships and were suffering in their own homeland.

During a visit to Mardan’s Jalala and Sheikh Shahzad camps set up for internally displaced persons (IDPs), women lashed out at the Taliban holding them responsible for bombing their daughters’ schools, ruthlessly beheading their sons and security forces personnel and stopping women from their jobs in the district.

“Today, we are spending miserable lives in camps and are homeless because of the Taliban,” said Naoreen, 40, a mother of five, living in a tent at the Jalala camp along with the children.

She said the women in Swat had been living a peaceful life in accordance with sharia, but the Taliban had begun targeting women in the district, in the past four years.

“Two of my daughters stopped going to school after the Taliban issued threats. Women were forced to stop their jobs and remain indoors,” she said.

Shazia, 50, another displaced woman from the Charbagh area of Swat strongly condemned the Taliban for their miseries in the camps. “First, the Taliban destroyed our children’s schools. Now they are slaughtering people and looting houses,” she said.

Rukhsana, a teenaged resident of Barikot in Swat said she was now in Jalala camp instead of in her school. “ The Taliban shattered my hopes to become a doctor. The future of thousands of female students in Swat is as dark as mine,” the girl added.

Some male IDPs from Swat – despite facing difficulties in camps and having had their houses destroyed in the operation – showed sympathies for the Taliban. “Taliban are not bad people. They were only struggling for the implementation of sharia in Malakand division,” said Mohammad Islam.
 
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Security forces launch ground offensive against terrorists

ISLAMABAD, May 18 (APP): The security forces have killed 27 terrorists including their three top area commanders in the last 24 hours in Malakand Division where a ground offensive on Monday was initiated against the militant terrorists. According to Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abbas the area commanders have been identified as Okasha, Malanga and Riaz. Briefing the media here on the ongoing Operation Rahe Rast, he said three Security Forces personnel including an officer embraced Shahdat while 17 soldiers were injured.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Uz Zaman Kaira, Secretary Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Ahmed Gondal, Principal Information Officer Mian Shabbir Anwar and Director Special Support Group Brig Aamir were also present.

Fierce clashes are taking place in different areas, where the troops have started ground offensive after conclusion of air campaign and strikes with heavy artillery on the militants hideouts, ammunition dumps and training camps in the scattered and isolated places of the Malakand Division, he said.

“Security Forces are engaged with miscreants‑terrorists inside Kanju town to clear and secure the area”, he said. Security forces are expanding their foothold in Peochar valley besides attacking and securing Dumber Training Centre, which was also being used by miscreants as their logistic base. Reportedly 12 miscreant‑terrorists were killed in the clashes, he said.

Operation is in progress in Takhtaband area where in a close encounter, seven terrorists were killed including important commanders Malanga and Riaz. Body of Malanga is lying with security forces, he said.

The militants hideouts in Mam Dherai was targeted effectively where reportedly 10‑15 terrorists hiding inside have been killed. The Security Forces are continuing with cordon and search operations in Matta Town, he added.

When his comments were sought on various reports published in the foreign media, he said in firm tone that the whole nation has all confidence in the National Security Forces which have all the capability to handle the situation in professional manner.

“Such statements, coming in the foreign media are only meant to put more pressure on us but nothing more ‑ We have the national security and integrity on our priority agenda and the security forces are mindful of their responsibility”, he said.

He said the National Security institutions of the country know well about their priorities and all the deployments are made strictly in accordance with the need and requirement of the situation.

He said that the utmost care is being exercised not to engage the civil population areas with the aim to avoid collateral damage while the terrorists would be taken to task in the street fight which has been launched.

Answering a question regarding the alleged involvement of some government agency in the killing of five security personnel including two officers, he said, investigations into the incident are in progress.

About the award of medals and commendations to those security personnel who laid their lives in the operation, he said, the operation is continuing and all such considerations would be made only after its conclusion.

When asked whether any high value target was arrested during the operation, he said that so far no such arrest could be made while those arrested are merely fighting militants.

Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Security forces launch ground offensive against terrorists
 
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Troops fight Taliban on streets

PESHAWAR ( 2009-05-19 13:21:46 ) :Pakistan said on Tuesday troops were locked in fierce street battles with Taliban fighters in the northwest where a rights group accused both sides of inflicting high civilian casualties.

Military officials said government forces were advancing on several fronts toward Mingora, the Taliban-held main town in the Swat valley.

Pakistani officials said Monday the fight had moved into the Taliban-held town of Matta as well as Kanju, which is a short distance from Mingora.

Footage broadcast on private Pakistan television channel showed armed soldiers standing outside locked shops in the main bazaar in Matta, a bastion of Maulana Fazlullah who has led a two-year uprising to enforce Islamic law.

"Our troops are advancing in Matta town where security forces have achieved a major success," a military official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"Troops continue to close in on Mingora, from where Taliban are trying to escape but our strategy is not to let them flee," the official said.

He said the chief objective in coming days was "to take over the Taliban's main headquarters in Peochar," where commandos opened a new front last week.

The official also reported intense battles in Takhta Bund, described as the main Taliban supply route.

Another security official confirmed fighting in Takhta Bund, saying efforts were underway to cut off this route to "choke" militants in the area.

Authorities say more than 1,000 militants and at least 49 troops have been killed in a three-pronged onslaught launched in the districts of Lower Dir on April 26, Buner on April 28 and Swat on May 8.

Pakistani commentators have praised the military for moving into towns in Swat, warning operations would be deadly but were vital for the military to really flush out Taliban strongholds.

"This is the first time the army is doing something like this against Taliban militants," defence and political analyst Talat Masood to AFP.

"Even US troops never engaged in street battles in Afghanistan... Obviously there will be more casualties when you face the enemy frontally. Here you are very close to the enemy and directly in their firing range.

"The militants do not want to abandon their strongholds. They are motivated, they are brainwashed," Masood added.

AAJ TV : Pakistan Ki Awaz
 
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16 militants killed, 3 soldiers with an officer martyred in Swat

Updated at: 1600 PST, Tuesday, May 19, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Operation ‘Rah-e-Rast’ continues successfully and in last 24 hours 16 militants have been killed whereas an officer and 3 soldiers embraced shahadat and 16 soldiers including an officer were injured.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces are consolidating their positions in the restive valley. Security forces are conducting search and destroy operations. During clashes one soldier got injured while two militants were killed.

Security forces have surrounded and are conducting cordon and search operations inside the town. Exchange of fire took place between security forces and militants, resultantly one officer Maj. Abid and one soldier embraced shahadat while 7 soldiers got injured near Nazarabad, north of Matta.

In Kanju and Takhtaband areas, troops have successfully cleared more than 40 houses in Kanju and area ahead of Takhtaband Bridge. Fierce clashes are taking place at both places. 14 miscreants were killed during exchange of fire with security forces at Takhtaband, while 2 soldiers embraced shahadat and 8 were injured.

In Buner, operation to clear Sultanwas is continuing. Security forces are conducting cordon and search operations.

16 militants killed, 3 soldiers with an officer martyred in Swat - GEO.tv
 
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it is gettin tough every day. we are loosing more soldiers now relative to how many we are killin. this ratio is further expected to decline as we march towards mangora
 
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