Troops close in on militants

ISLAMABAD Security forces have killed 18 terrorists in the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nejat in South Waziristan Agency during the last 24 hours, while two soldiers were martyred and 12 others got injured.
Director General ISPR, Major General Athar Abbas, told this in a joint press briefing with Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira here on Monday.
The DG ISPR said despite stiff resistance by the insurgents, aims and objectives of the ongoing operation in South Waziristan Agency were being achieved successfully due to effective planning of the Armed Forces. He said that security forces were ahead of their objectives according to the set timeframe. He said the operation was being carried out with the resources available to them without relying upon any support from outside.
He said since launch of the operation on October 17, security forces have entered 15 kilometres inside Mehsud dominated areas by adopting three pronged advancement strategy, adding that area around Kotkai heights, the hometown of Qari Hussain, notorious mastermind of suicide attacks, had been secured.
Security forces, he said, have also reached Kaskai area, which is north of Kund and West of Kotaki, besides securing Tor Ghundai area (east of Kotkai) and Shishwarm (north east of Kotaki) overlooking town of Kotkai.
Answering a question, he said it was premature to comment on the number of high profile targets.
He said that security forces were targeting militants hideouts through effective steps including siege of terrorists and lethal air strikes. He added that twelve anti-aircraft guns installed at mountains peaks by militants had been seized.
He declined to give details relating to night time operation by the security forces and timeline of the operation, saying such details couldnt be shared with the media at this time, as this might create misunderstandings.
To another question, he said there were around 5,000 to 10,000 militants including 1,000 foreign fighters present in the area.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, told a questioner that Pakistan didnt need any foreign army or intelligence assistance on its side of border in the ongoing operation against terrorists. He said Pakistans Armed Forces with complete support of nation were capable enough to achieve the targeted results within stipulated timeframe.
He said Pakistan Armed Forces had launched operation Rah-e-Nejat after a thorough preparation and after taking major political parties on board by the government.
Responding to another question, he said that government had to launch the operation to restore states writ in Waziristan. He urged the militants to lay down their arms.
Answering another question, he commended courage and bravery of the security forces in Swat and Malakand operation, saying the networks of terrorists had been smashed and development work would start soon. He said that so far 14,500 internally displaced families, mostly from Mehsud area from Waziristan, had been registered and they were being provided food items, adding they would also be provided non-food items soon. He added that around 11,000 families were already registered while 3,500 families were newly registered.