3 Militants Killed In Swaziristan Rah-e-Nijat Operation

WANA, News Update: Three militants were killed and eight others injured in ongoing operation Rah –e- Nijat in South Waziristan.

The clashes occurred between militants and security forces in Asman Manza, Makeen and Ladha areas, said sources. Three militants were killed and eight others wounded during these clashes. Security forces took control of more then 100 hideouts of militants whereas huge arms cache and explosives were also recovered and at least 600 militants have been killed so far during operation started on October 17.

President Zardari, PM Gilani Discuss Operation Rah-e-Nijat

Islamabad, Pakistan News Update: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari in the Presidency and discussed with him matters related to the operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan.

During the meeting matters relating to the prevailing political situation, IDPs, the measures taken by the government to address sugar problem and ‘Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan’ Package for Balochistan also came under discussion.

Briefing the media, Spokesman to the President, former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the Prime Minister discussed with the President matters related to the operation Rah-e-Nijat.

The President and the Prime Minister also discussed the salient features of Balochistan Empowerment Package which will be unveiled in the joint sitting of the Parliament on Tuesday.

They also discussed the constitutional issues that are being thrashed out by the Constitutional Reforms Committee and will be placed soon in the Parliament.

3 Militants Killed in SouthWaziristan Clashes

WANA: Three militants were killed and seven injured during clashes between security forces and militants as operation Rah-e-Nijat continued in South Waziristan.

Sources said three militants were killed and seven others wounded during clashes between militants and security forces in Maidan area of Ladha. A security man sustained injuries when militants attacked forces with automatic weapons in Asmaan Manza. More then 500 militants have been killed and scores injured so far in the operation. The forces also destroyed several hideouts and took control of key strongholds of militants.

Troops Gun Six Militants

RAWALPINDI,Pakistan: Six more terrorists were killed while eight soldiers including two officers injured in South Waziristan operation Rah-e-Nijat in last 24 hours, according to the ISPR press release on Wednesday.

Security forces established link up short of Janata and point 1694 on Jandola–Sararogha Axis, it said. Sanitization was carried out at Adire Mela and Khazhankai villages. Huge quantity of arms and ammunitions including a 12.7mm gun was recovered.

During patrolling on route Jandola, Chagmalai and Siplatoi an IED exploded injuring three soldiers including an officer, press release noted.

Five soldiers including an officer were injured when security forces came under fire on Shakai-Kaniguram Axis at Kidney Ridge near Kund Mela from terrorists and in retaliation forces killed six militants.

Eight bunkers were destroyed during search operation at Lita Sar and Blanki Sar on Razmak-Makeen Axis. During search of village China large quantity of arms and ammunitions was recovered.

Key Taliban Base Seized

SARAROGHA: Forces have captured most of the main Taliban bases in their offensive in South Waziristan and will soon fan out into the rugged countryside to hunt for militants there, commanders said on Tuesday. Soldiers have advanced faster than expected in their month-long offensive, seizing main roads and Taliban bases but militant leaders have apparently melted away while their bombers have unleashed carnage in towns.

Chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told reporters on a trip to South Waziristan with the army that some militants might have slipped out the region but many were hiding. “We still believe many are still here. They have gone to the countryside, the forested areas, to villages and into the caves,” Abbas said.

“After taking complete control of the roads and the tracks, we are going to chase them in the forested areas, wherever they are hiding in the countryside,” he said. More than 500 militants had been killed in the offensive since October 17 while 70 soldiers had been martyred, he said.

Highlighting fears that the militants have melted away to fight another day, the leader of the Taliban in the Swat valley, north-west of Islamabad, telephoned the BBC to say he had escaped to Afghanistan and would soon launch raids against the army.

The army, which has largely cleared Swat of militants, said in July the valley’s Taliban leader, self-styled cleric Fazlullah, was believed to have been wounded. The government said in September he had been surrounded. The army on Tuesday took reporters to the captured Taliban bastion of Sararogha in South Waziristan where former Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud was killed by a missile-firing US drone aircraft on August 5.

Surrounded by barren, rocky ridges and cut through by dried-up streams, the settlement of mud-walled compounds was deserted of civilians. A security force fort that the militants captured was almost completely destroyed in the fighting. Soldiers displayed militant pamphlets including one on making bombs, captured ammunition and weapons, and pouched vests that suicide bombers pack with explosives and strap on. Brigadier Mohammad Shafiq said his men had battled hard to capture the base.

“Their defences were well-constructed and we faced extremely tough resistance.” In the captured militant stronghold of Ladha, Brigadier Farrukh Jamal said his men had surrounded 35 militants hiding in forest-covered mountains nearby. “They are hiding in caves and we will capture them soon or kill them,” Jamal said. Several rifle shots rang out and smoke rose over the slopes where the militants were hiding.

Bearish KSE End Down at 9205

KARACHI, Pakistan: Pakistani stocks ended more than 1 percent lower on Tuesday as investors booked profits at higher levels after the market gained 2.62 percent the previous day on hopes for a cut in the key policy rate, dealers said.
Monetary policy for December and January will be announced on Nov. 24, a central bank spokesman said.

The Karachi Stock Exchange’s .KSE benchmark 100-share index ended 1.07 percent, or 99.33 points, lower at 9,204.98 on turnover of 160 million shares.

“Share prices fell today mainly due to profit-taking,” said Furqan Punjani, an analyst at Topline Securities Ltd.

Volume was still on the low side but the negative impact of militant attacks was easing as the attacks were occurring almost on a daily basis, dealers said.

The army began an offensive against Pakistani Taliban fighters in South Waziristan on the Afghan border a month ago and militants have stepped up retaliatory attacks in response, killing hundreds of people.

The KSE-100 index has gained 60 percent this year after losing 57.9 percent last year.

In the currency market, the rupee ended flat at 83.40/50 to the dollar, unchanged from Monday’s closing.

The rupee has been supported by remittances from Pakistanis working overseas but dealers expect importers will weaken the currency.

According to the latest official data, remittances from Pakistanis working overseas rose 32 percent to $3.1 billion in the first four months of the 2009/10 (July-June) fiscal year.

The rupee has weakened 5.97 percent this year after losing 22.12

S-Waziristan Operation To End Soon: PM Gilani

MULTAN: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that no military operation is currently underway in Balochistan and that ongoing operation in Southern Waziristan will soon end.

Talking to reporters in Multan Sunday, Gilani said there was no threat to the country’s nuclear programme, which was completely safe and secure.

‘Pakistan will not compromise on its nuclear programme and the country’s nuclear assets are safe under the Nuclear Command and Control Authority (NCCA).’

To a question Gilani said no timeframe can be given for Waziristan Operation, however it will end earlier than expected and that no military operation is currently underway in Balochistan.

‘During the meeting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was asked to take Islamabad into confidence, if Washington’s policy on Kabul changes and she reassured that Pakistan will be taken into confidence, if US revises its policy on Afghanistan.’

The prime minister said the country had the will to fight the war against terrorism, but the international community’s help would be vital in enhancing the country’s ability to win the war.

He said Pakistan only lacked state-of-the-art equipment to fight terror and the international community had been asked to help the country’s build its anti-terror capacity.

The prime minister said the government’s timely decision had resulted in successful operations in Swat and South Waziristan.

To a question on evidence regarding the reported Indian involvement in Balochistan, he said the issue had been taken up during his meeting with the Indian prime minister at Sharm El-Sheikh and was made part of the joint statement issued thereafter.

“The evidence will be presented at a suitable time,” the prime minister added.

Gilani said Pakistan wanted good relations with all its neighbours and desired the resumption of composite dialogue process with India, adding that dialogue was the only way forward.

Criticising US drone attacks in the Tribal Areas, Gilani said they strikes were counterproductive.

“While we are trying to separate militants from tribesmen, drone attacks are doing exactly the opposite,” he added.

Gilani said the US should transfer the drone technology to Pakistan.

To a question regarding financial losses suffered by the country in the war on terror, the prime minister said that international community, including the US, had promised to help the country in this regard.

Six Terrorists Killed, 12 Soldiers Martyred in SWA

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: Six terrorists have been killed while 12 soldiers embraced shahadat and 2 soldiers injured during the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan.

According to ISPR, security forces successfully secured important feature point 5376, 3 kms north of Ahmed Wam on Jandola – Sararogha Axis.

Exchange of fire took place between security forces and terrorists at Ahmed Wam, resultantly 2 soldiers embraced Shahadat and 2 were injured, while 6 terrorists were killed.

Clearance operation at Khawasai is underway.

Security forces conducted search operation in area around Torwam on Shakai – Kaniguram Axis, cleared compounds, and recovered cache of arms and ammunition.

10 wounded soldiers due to engagement with terrorists of Langar Khel yesterday succumbed to injuries and embraced shahadat. Total casualties are 15 soldiers shaheed.

Security forces have fully secured the area from Makeen to Marobi Raghzai and road block has been established at Shah Wali Algad on Razmak- Makeen Axis.

Security forces cleared built up area of Rogha and Mir Khoni.

Terrorists fired rockets at Razmak Camp and Laghr Manza, which was effectively responded by security forces.

Security forces apprehended wanted terrorist Qamar Ali at Shangla during operation Rah-e-Rast in Swat – Malakand.

Security forces conducted search operation at Shalpin, Amankot, Ghalagai and apprehended 3 terrorists.

Last 24 Hours 22 Militants Killed: ISPR

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: At least 22 terrorists were killed while five soldiers were martyred and eight others were injured in South Waziristan operation Rah-e-Nijat during last 24 hours, said an ISPR press release on Thursday.

On Jandola–Sararogha Axis, security forces cleared Ghara Sar, during search operation, exchange of fire took place with terrorists, resultantly one soldier was injured and five terrorists were killed.

On Shakai–Kaniguram Axis, security forces conducted search operation in area around Ladha, Satta, Mangora Sar, Narakai, Gulit Killi, Torwam, Shabi Khel and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition.

Security forces advanced further to secure the area of Langar Khel. Intense engagement took place. During clashes 14 terrorists were killed while five soldiers embraced shahadat and seven were injured.

On Razmak- Makeen Axis, security forces are expanding towards South of Makeen and consolidating their positions.

Security forces have established check post at road Zahidullah-Ghariom and have started patrolling the road.

Operation to secure Darra Alghad South of Makeen is underway.

Village Rogha has been secured. During exchange of fire three terrorists were killed.

10 More Militants killed in Operation Rah-e-Nijaat

Pakistan: Over 10 militants killed in Operation Rah-e-Nijaat, security forces killed ten militants in clashes during Operation Rah-e-Nijaat in South Waziristan.
The sources said the forces targeted militant hideouts in Laddah Makeena whole night. Forces are also consolidating their hold on Jandollah, Sararogha, Shakai and Kani Garam. Large caches of weapons and explosives were seized by security forces during search operation. Suicide jackets, machine guns, hand grenades and rockets were captured by forces.

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