Forces zero in on Ladha
Source: Special Correspondent November 5, 2009
ISLAMABAD – The security forces Wednesday entered Ladha town, another stronghold of Taliban in South Waziristan Agency, amid intense fighting in which 10 terrorists were killed, while 20 other militants were also wiped out in the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat.
According to ISPR, eight soldiers including two officers and a junior commissioned officer were injured.
On Shakai-Kaniguram axis, it said that the security forces entered Ladha where intense fighting was taking place in streets due to which 10 terrorists were killed. The security forces are also securing surrounding ridges and heights. During search operation at Mingora Sar, the security forces recovered a huge cache of arms. On Jandola-Sararogha axis, the security forces cleared major part of Sararogha. During engagements, 16 terrorists were killed while seven soldiers including two officers and one junior commissioned officer got injured. The security forces also secured Prato Narai and Point-16242 west of Sararogha.
On Razmak-Makeen axis, the security forces have completely secured the village of China and are consolidating their positions. Huge cache of arms and ammunition were discovered from different compounds and a number of IEDs were neutralised. During engagements, four terrorists have been killed and one soldier got injured.
As far as relief activities are concerned, 890 displaced patients of Waziristan have been treated at Army Field Hospital, while 7,518 cash cards have been distributed amongst the displaced families.
Agencies add: Fighting has been intensified in recent days after security forces zeroed in on three main militant bases - Sararogha, Makeen and Ladha - in their three-pronged offensive.
Security officials say the militants’ “command and control structure” is in the three bases and they expect stiff resistance from Taliban defenders. The Army said at the weekend that government forces had converged on Makeen from three directions.
The fall of the bases would be a major setback for the Taliban but security analysts say the militants could step up attacks in towns and cities to put pressure on the government and try to sap its resolve. A senior military official told AFP the Army had “taken” the strategic town of Sararogha in the third week of fighting, while 30 insurgents were reported killed in the last 24 hours.
Sararogha shot to local infamy as the operational centre of former Tehreek-e-Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone attack in August.
Pakistan launched its fierce air and ground offensive into the northwest region on October 17, with some 30,000 troops backed by fighter jets and gunship helicopter laying siege to Tehreek-e-Taliban boltholes. So far, the military has claimed to have killed more than 390 militants since the operation began, while 37 troops lost their lives.