Pakistani military seizes Taliban stronghold in NW
Pakistan Monday, February 8th, 2010Pakistani security forces have seized a key Taliban stronghold in a northwestern area that the government had declared free of militants a year ago following a military offensive but has experienced periodic violence since then.
The army captured Damadola on Saturday as part of an operation launched in late January to quell the persistent violence in the Bajur tribal area. The offensive, which has killed more than 60 militants, is one of several that Pakistan has launched in recent months against Taliban and al-Qaida fighters in the volatile Afghan border region. The U.S. has praised Pakistan for its recent operations.
“We are in full control of Damadola,” said Abdul Malik, a local government official. “We are also working to set up a militia to ensure the militants cannot return.”
The area was filled with militant hide-outs, training centers, tunnels and
Khan. Pakistani forces never invaded Damadola during the initial Bajur operation launched in late 2008 because the dominant tribe in the area promised to expel the militants, said Khan.
The tribe failed in its efforts, prompting the military to launch its latest operation on Jan. 27 using ground forces backed by artillery, fighter jets and helicopter gunships, he said.
The Taliban said they withdrew from the area responding to orders from senior commanders.
“We are doing it as part of a strategy,” a local Taliban commander, Izzat Ullah, told The Associated Press by telephone without providing details.
Residents said the militants fled in a hurry.
“They even left their women behind,” said Hashmat Khan. “They handed the women over to local people.”
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on Feb 8 2010. Filed under