Militants attack forces convoy, police checkposts, power grid station
20 more killed in Buner operation
MINGORA: Two persons, including a soldier, were killed and seven others sustained injuries as militants attacked a security forces convoy, police checkposts and a power grid station in Swat on Monday.
Also, a mass exodus started from the villages and towns due to the latest unrest in the Swat Valley. Sources told our sources that a fierce clash followed when militants ambushed a convoy of security forces in Kota Aboha area. A soldier, whose identity could not be established, was killed and two others injured in the ensuing gunbattle.
Reports pouring in from the troubled district said the militants had taken control of Mingora city and police and security forces were restricted to police stations and camps. Militants rule the roost in Mingora as they could be seen patrolling the roads, standing armed in almost all the squares and on rooftops of several buildings of the city. They have established bunkers on top of the buildings, including Continental Hotel, Green Plaza, Punjab Bakery, Aziz Hotel, and Cloth Market a source wishing anonymity told our sources.
Rahimabad police station was blown up by the militants, which was earlier hit with rockets on Sunday, causing partial damage to the building.
The militants also attacked a police station, Circuit House, Commissioners House and a power grid station with rockets and mortars in Mingora. It was learnt that the militants later circled the power house, which led to the intense firing between the insurgents and security forces.
Security forces were facing tough resistance as they were trying to retake control of the grid station. The fierce fighting was continued till filing of this report. A man was killed and five others, whose name could not be ascertained, sustained injuries when a mortar shell landed in Nawan Killay of Mingora area.
An ISPR press release said the militants violated the peace accord and the security forces retaliated with full force. It said people were fully supporting the security forces. Also, the sources added, all the bazaars and markets remained closed because of violence and a looming military operation against militants.
Separately, the militants kidnapped police constable identified as Bakht Rahim from Salampur area near Mingora city and dynamited Government High School in Tindo Dag area of Barikot. Checkposts in Baraim and Madyan and a police post in Shamozo were also attacked by insurgents. However, there was no word on loss of life or damage to property.
Swat District Coordination Officer (DCO) Khushal Khan asked the drivers and owners of vehicles to take at least two persons along while travelling around. He urged the people to remain indoors during curfew to avoid any untoward incident.
According to Swat Media Centre, indefinite curfew was imposed in the district. AP adds: Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan claimed responsibility for the attack on convoy, saying it was in response to the alleged strengthening of military positions in the region in violation of the peace deal.
Why do you think we should remain silent if they come heavy on us? ... We will attack them too, he told The Associated Press. Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said the army would not launch an offensive in Swat unless the government formally abandoned the truce.
Meanwhile, at least 20 people were reportedly killed and 36 injured in Buner as security forces continued operation on Monday.
Sources said the security forces convoys were heading towards Gagra tehsil and Kalpanai area in pursuit of the militants. Some suicide bombers reportedly attacked the convoys but there were no reports of casualties.
However, 20 people were reported to have been killed by the firing of the security forces in Gagra tehsil and 36 injured in Kalpanai area. Taliban militants claimed to have burnt a tank of the security forces in Gagra tehsil, besides snatching a pickup van from the soldiers.
One of the four security forces personnel admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital succumbed to his wounds. The District Coordination Officer (DCO), Yahya Khan, announced relaxation in curfew from 10 am - 2 pm for Tuesday.
About 290 students, who were taking intermediate exam in Government Degree College Daggar, were stranded in the exam centre due to curfew. The principal of the college, Abdul Qayum, urged the government to relax the curfew restrictions so that the stranded students and staff could go back to their homes.
Ramdad, worker at Ambela filling station, who went missing three days back, was ultimately traced out in CMH Peshawar while his family members were looking for his body as they thought he would have been dead but he had been airlifted by the security forces in helicopter to Peshawar CMH after he was injured.
Due to heavy rain in the area, most of the displaced people were stranded in Swarai, Gokand, Chagharzai, Pir Baba, Chamla and Salarzai areas. The situation was quite tense in the area. Electricity and telephone systems were damaged in the area. And people were unaware about the timing of the curfew due to the suspension of power supply and telephone exchange.
All the markets were closed and the people were facing acute shortage of food commodities. Most of the hospitals and health units were also closed and the patients were stranded in their homes where some of them were reported to have died due to no medication.
Talking to our sources by phone from an undisclosed location, Taliban commander in Buner, Maulana Muhammad Alam Khalil, said, I am just fine and the security forces had spread rumours about my death, and added that martyrdom was his objective.
APP adds: Meanwhile, ten militants including a top commander and two security forces were killed in Buner and Shangla on Monday, a military statement said. According to an ISPR press release the operation in Buner is progressing smoothly, as the security forces are consolidating their positions in Daggar and its surrounding areas.
The security forces targeted the militants hideout in Kalpanai, the press release said. Reportedly, seven militants including an important commander Afsar Hameed were killed, while one soldier embraced Shahadat and three others injured.
According to reports, the militants were using 2,000 innocent people as human shield in view of impending clearance of Pir Baba by security forces. Curfew was relaxed from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm in Buner.
The militants also attacked a checkpost of the security forces in Shangla, killing one soldier. The militants also burnt a house of DSP at Kumber (Maidan) and also took away household items from the house of Union Council Nazim, Maidan, Lower Dir, besides kidnapping few civilians from Kot Haya Sarai area of Maidan.
A vacant police checkpost at Yakhtangi, Shangla, was also destroyed by the militants, who also set three civil trucks on fire in Biladram and Chamtalai. The security forces killed three militants in Maidan, when they fired at troops.
Director General ISPR Major Gen Athar Abbas while talking to official TV channel said Taliban militants had taken civilians hostage at gun point in Buner and were using them as human shield for their protection.
He said militants had seized houses at gunpoint and using the inmates as human shield. He said Daggar was under the complete control of the security forces and Daggar-Mardan Road had been opened for transport.
He said security forces had also cleared Malandri Road. After consolidation of positions in surrounding areas of Daggar, the operation would be extended to other areas, he said. He said according to intelligence reports Taliban had made people hostage at Pir Baba and Sultanwas areas and were not allowing them to leave the area.
The DG ISPR said people had been trapped in these areas and facing difficulties due to activities of the Taliban. Replying to a question, he said from the government side the peace agreement was still intact and it wanted the process to go ahead without further bloodshed.
However, he said, the militants had been violating the agreement by continuing armed patrolling and indulging in kidnapping and killing people. Kidnapping of security offices is open violation of the agreement, he said.
We are monitoring alarming statements of Taliban and updating the government officials about the changing situation. Ball is in their court, we have shown patience and tolerance for the success of the agreement.