ID :
12508
Mon, 07/14/2008 - 18:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/12508
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Pak troops use artillery to target militants' base in NWFP
Islamabad, July 14 (PTI) Pakistan troops have used artillery to target militant positions in the restive Hangu district of the North West Frontier Province, where 16paramilitary personnel were killed by the Taliban last week.
The army took up positions in Hangu Saturday, sparking speculation that the troops were preparing for a crackdown onmilitants in Doaba village, a stronghold of the local Taliban.
Artillery was used overnight to target the militants,who have taken up positions in the mountains around Doaba.
The army was deployed after the local Taliban ambushed a convoy of the Frontier Constabulary at Zargari in Hangu district on Saturday, killing 16 paramilitary personnel including district commandant Karim Khattak. The Zargari areais still under the control of the Taliban.
Following the deployment of the army, there were reports of people fleeing the Doaba area due to fears of fighting between militants and security forces. Teachers and students also abandoned several madrassas in the areaSunday.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Maulvi Omar has said his group is willing to exchange 29 abducted government employees and security personnel for seven militants who werearrested in Doaba last week.
Omar also warned that the Taliban would begin abducting government employees all over the country if thedemands of the militants are not met.
However, Rehman Malik, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs, has said the government will not releasethe arrested militants despite threats issued by the Taliban.
Malik also said the Frontier Constabulary convoy was lured into a trap by five men acting as local guides. The convoy stopped at a road block in Zargari when the militants suddenly appeared. The five local men said they would go andspeak to the militants, but then disappeared.
Reports said eight Frontier Constabulary personnel were killed in the fighting while eight more were executed by a Taliban firing squad. Five militants were also killed in thefighting. Only one Frontier Constabulary personnel survived.
The army took up positions in Hangu Saturday, sparking speculation that the troops were preparing for a crackdown onmilitants in Doaba village, a stronghold of the local Taliban.
Artillery was used overnight to target the militants,who have taken up positions in the mountains around Doaba.
The army was deployed after the local Taliban ambushed a convoy of the Frontier Constabulary at Zargari in Hangu district on Saturday, killing 16 paramilitary personnel including district commandant Karim Khattak. The Zargari areais still under the control of the Taliban.
Following the deployment of the army, there were reports of people fleeing the Doaba area due to fears of fighting between militants and security forces. Teachers and students also abandoned several madrassas in the areaSunday.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Maulvi Omar has said his group is willing to exchange 29 abducted government employees and security personnel for seven militants who werearrested in Doaba last week.
Omar also warned that the Taliban would begin abducting government employees all over the country if thedemands of the militants are not met.
However, Rehman Malik, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs, has said the government will not releasethe arrested militants despite threats issued by the Taliban.
Malik also said the Frontier Constabulary convoy was lured into a trap by five men acting as local guides. The convoy stopped at a road block in Zargari when the militants suddenly appeared. The five local men said they would go andspeak to the militants, but then disappeared.
Reports said eight Frontier Constabulary personnel were killed in the fighting while eight more were executed by a Taliban firing squad. Five militants were also killed in thefighting. Only one Frontier Constabulary personnel survived.
