Operation Rah-e-Rast (Swat)

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

EDIT: Old Swat thread is here:

http://www.defence.pk/forums/pakistans-war/23457-swat-peace-deal-aftermath.html

Previous thread detailing operations in Dir and Buner is here:

http://www.defence.pk/forums/pakistans-war/25731-operations-dir-buner.html

Pak army called in to eliminate terrorists: PM​

Updated at: 2220 PST, Thursday, May 07, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday said the armed forces have been called in to eliminate the terrorists in Swat and Malakand Division.

In a televised address to the nation, the Prime Minister also said that one billion rupees have been provided for the rehabilitation of the internally displaced persons.

He announced employment will be provided to one member of a family which has lost any of its member at the hands of terrorists.

The Prime Minister said the above decisions were taken after holding consultations with the political parties and other stakeholders.

He said although the government adopted the path of talks and negotiations to resolve Swat issue the terrorist elements continued to challenge the writ of the government.

“We went ahead and implemented Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in the Malakand Division in line with the long standing demand of the locals,” he said and added that later President Asif Ali Zardari also signed the NAR.

However, he said, all these steps failed to bring about peace in the region as terrorists kept targeting the set ups of paramilitary forces and other security personnel.

“This situation required taking of some decisive steps,” the Premier said.

He appealed to the nation to stand united and extend its complete cooperation to the government in the fight scourge of terrorism.

Pak army called in to eliminate terrorists: PM

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

-End of operation and deployment of military taken after consultation between all Coalition parties and elected representatives from Malakand.

-Heard Khwaja Asif from PML-N on TV. Stated that the country should be united and support our soldiers and military at all costs.

'Soldiers should not be given any impressions that the nation does not support them.'

 

[HAIDER]

Pakistan Zindabad......may allah help innocent people of swat to pass through this pain of militancy . Hope govt act with its BEST sincerity.
We Pakistani support you Mr PM.

 

[jehangirhaider]

This is real true move.Crush these bastards.

 

[forcetrip]

Finally!! no more staged assaults ..I hope ..

 

[TOPGUN]

Time to go to work ! clean up time great news..

 

[RabzonKhan]

Taliban’s agenda is terror, not sharia, says Iftikhar

May 07, 2009
By Akhtar Amin

PESHAWAR: Islam or sharia is not on agenda of the Taliban, as they want to set up a parallel government through terrorist activities, NWFP Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain said on Wednesday.

“The Taliban have outrightly rejected the peace offer of the government, security forces and the people. Taliban want to spread terror. Islam or sharia is not their agenda,” he said while addressing students at Peshawar Law College.

He said if the Taliban wanted an Islamic system of government in Malakand division, they would have laid down their weapons after the enforcement of the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in he region. “But the Taliban kept on proceeding and captured areas in Buner and Dir even after they had signed a peace accord,” Hussain said.

The minister said the NWFP government had inked the peace agreement with Thereek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad after fulfilling all his demands. “But Sufi failed to force the Taliban to disarm.”

Hussain said Sufi wanted the government to yield to the Taliban agenda and was not acknowledging the people’s aspirations.

He said prior to announcing the appointment of qazis in Swat, the NWFP government had waited for a week for the TNSM’s response on the matter. “Sufi did not respond and the government announced appointment of qazis in accordance with law,” he said.

Declaration: Terming him a “stubborn negotiator”, Hussain said Sufi had told the provincial government before peace talks started that the government would have to accept Sufi’s demand, but he, in return, was not bound to accept the government’s demands.

 

[RabzonKhan]

69 Taliban killed, forces seize Swat emerald mine


PESHAWAR/MINGORA: At least 69 Taliban were killed as the army pounded Taliban positions in Mingora and Buner and seized control of an emerald mine in Swat on Wednesday, in the first ‘planned operation’ since the collapse of a peace deal between the Taliban and the NWFP government, military sources said.

According to ISPR, four troops were killed and six injured in the fighting. The sources said heavy artillery was used and four helicopter gunships joined the attack on the mine in Fizaghat area of Mingora.

Around 20 Taliban were killed when the helicopters struck their hideout near Takhtaband Bypass, while 27 were killed when the security forces pounded Taliban positions in other areas, sources said.

At least 22 Taliban were killed in as forces raided a village west of Daggar, the sources added.

Malakand blast: Five security officials were killed and four others injured in a remote-controlled bomb blast near Pull Chowki in Chakkadra area of Malakand, a private TV channel reported.

According to the channel, the blast occurred as a security convoy was heading to Mingora. staff report/daily times monitor

 

[ajpirzada]

55 militants, 6 civilians killed in Swat: officials By Hameedullah Khan
Thursday, 07 May, 2009 | 11:45 PM PST |

Trucks carrying Pakistan army soldiers on their way to the Swat valley, in Mardan near Peshawar.—AP ​

MINGORA: Fifty five militants and six non-combatants were killed while several others wounded as aircraft and artillery pounded militant positions in different areas of restive Swat valley on Thursday.

Official sources said that jetfighters, gunship helicopters and artillery bombed and shelled different areas of Swat included Bin Baba, Ziarat, Khwazakhela, Kuza Bamkhela, Malam Jabba, Shamozai, Kabal, Shagai and Zara Qilla overnight and on Thursday.

They said fifty five militants including Ibne Aaqil, brother of Matta sub-division commander Ibne Amin, was killed and several others sustained wounds in the gunfire, bombing and shelling. Ibne Aaqil was the second commander after his brother Ibne Amin.

Six civilians were also reportedly killed in the day-long gunbattle.

The ground forces have took positions in their respective areas but no forward movement was made. Sources said fresh military reinforcements were on the way via Shangla and Malakand to Swat. The full-fledged operation is likely within next twenty four hours, they added.

Over three lakh (0.3 million) Swatis have migrated to downward districts of Frontier province when the local administration declared relaxation of curfew from 7:00am to 6:00pm on Thursday.

The people of upper Swat district are still trapped in their houses as they have not get timely information about curfew relaxations, a local said, adding: ‘The telecommunication system, electricity, and water supply had been suspended to most of the localities in district.’

Men, women and children taking advantage of easing the curfew they residents came out of their houses catching cars and vehicles while some of them on foot.

DAWN.COM | Provinces | 55 militants, 6 civilians killed in Swat: officials

can someone teach me how to post pictures??.... eg there is a pic with this article but i dont know how to put it here

 

[Neo]

This is greatest news I've heard in long time.

May God give us courage and strenght to deal with these terrorists and once back bring peace and prosperity to the region.

Inshallah we will prevail!

 

[Neo]

800,000 Swat displaced expected​

MARDAN: Pakistan is bracing for its biggest ever displacement of people, as many as 800,000, as a military offensive against Taliban in Swat appears imminent. Convoys of military vehicles carrying troops and artillery were seen heading towards Swat as authorities in Mardan set up camps for the displaced. Meanwhile, the influx of displaced persons continued in Rawalpindi and Islamabad with no official policy announced so far by the administration to deal with the situation.

 

[Neo]

PM tells army to ‘eliminate’ militants ​

ISLAMABAD (May 07, 2009, 22:52 PST): Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced on Thursday that the military had been ordered to eliminate militants and ‘terrorists,’ appealing to the nation to stand against extremists.

"In order to restore honour and dignity of our homeland, and to protect people, the armed forces have been called to eliminate the militants and terrorists," the prime minister said in his address to the nation.

Gilani said militant efforts to disrupt peace and security had reached such a stage that the government believed "decisive steps" had to be taken.

Thousands of civilians streamed out of the Taliban stronghold and former tourist resort on foot or crammed into cars in the face of the onslaught, as the Red Cross warned that the humanitarian crisis was escalating.

"I appeal to the international community that they should help Pakistan look after the internally displaced persons at this point of time and also cooperate with us to enhance the capability of our law-enforcing institutions," Gilani said.

"I urge the people to unite to ensure the sovereignty and integrity of the country," added Gilani, wearing traditional Pakistani dress in a departure from the Western suits he frequently favours.

"The government has decided that they will not bow before the extremists and terrorists, but would rather force them to lay down arms," he said.

"The time has come when the entire nation should side with the government and the armed forces against those who want to make the entire country hostage and darken our future at gunpoint," the prime minister added.

 

[RabzonKhan]

can someone teach me how to post pictures??.... eg there is a pic with this article but i dont know how to put it here

Click on the insert image icon, a small box will appear, delete http:// from the box.

Go to the image, right click it and open the Properties menus.

Next, highlight the full address (URL), copy the URL and then paste it into the small box and press ok.

 

[Neo]

Federal govt to cooperate NWFP for peace: PM ​

ISLAMABAD (May 07, 2009): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday said that people of Malakand want military action against the Taliban militants.

Members of National Assembly and the Senate belonging to Swat, Buner and Shangla called on Prime Minister at the PM Secretariat today.

On this occasion, Premier Gilani said that the federal government would provide every possible help to the provincial government for the restoration of peace in Malakand.

Gilani further said that steps would be taken to restore peace in Swat and other areas.

Besides, prevailing security situation in Swat and Buner, and violations of the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation also came under discussion in the meeting.

 

[z9-ec]

Finally, the decisive action we've all been waiting for. Time to eliminate this menace from our society for good.

Pak fauj zindabad!