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October 22, 2008
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Wednesday
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Shawwal 22, 1429
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Security forces capture Taliban stronghold
By Our Correspondent
KHAR, Oct 21: Security forces on Tuesday captured Lowi Sam area, a stronghold of the Taliban, and killed 13 militants in fresh fighting in Bajaur region.
According to military sources, troops retook Lowi Sam after overcoming stiff resistance from the Taliban and started digging trenches and setting up bunkers to strengthen their position. They said the troops also made advances in nearby areas of Nawagai and Charmang.
Officials said that 10 militants had been killed and six were injured after jet fighters and helicopter gunships attacked their hideouts in Chinar, Charmang, Kohee, Babra and Hashim areas of Nawagai sub-division.
Troops also destroyed militants’ positions in Zower Bandar and Lowi Sam with artillery shelling, the sources said, adding that three militants had been killed and four others injured in the shelling.
Security forces had tried to capture Lowi Sam in August but retreated after militants put up tough resistance.
The fall of Lowi Sam is likely to weaken the hold of militants in the tribal region and boost the morale of troops and local people, a military official said.
Troops faced strong resistance from the militants in Tang Khata, Rashakai, Khazana and other areas where the militants had established tunnels, the sources said, adding it took a long time for security forces to dismantle the tunnels.
ACTION AGAINST TALIBAN: A Laskar of Salarzai tribesmen would resume their action against the Taliban in Salarzai region on Wednesday.
The decision was taken at a grand jirga in Pashat on Tuesday. The jirga was attended by elders and ulema of all tribes of the Salarzai region, including former member of National Assembly Shahabuddin Khan, Malak Fazl Karim Khan, Malak Muhammad Younus, and Malak Nasir Khan.
The jirga unamimously decided to torch and dismantle houses of 24 Taliban militants in Banda and Ghundai areas of Salarzai on Wednesday.
The jirga also decided to impose a fine of Rs2 million and expel from the area those people who were found to have any link with the Taliban.
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