The Battle for Bajaur - PA seizes control

[Novice09]

Terrorists should be treated with hard hand.

Very informative thread, still on track

 

[fatman17]

Airstrikes kill 23 Taliban in Bajaur, Kurram

* 12 killed as jets, choppers destroy four bunkers in Bajaur
* Forces bomb Taliban positions after attack on checkpost in Kurram

KHAR/PARACHINAR: Security forces on Monday backed by fighter jets and helicopter gunships targeted Taliban strongholds across the country’s northwest, killing 23 terrorists in the Kurram and Bajaur agencies.

According to sources, the first bombing raid took place in Damdola, Sewai and Shago areas of Mamoond tehsil, a well-known stronghold of the Taliban about 25 kilometres northeast of the main district town of Khar.

“Airstrikes by the jet fighters continued for more than two hours. Ten terrorists have been killed and several hideouts were destroyed,” a paramilitary Frontier Corps official in Khar told AFP.

Firamosh Khan, a local administrative official, confirmed the shelling and said “it is true that several militants were killed”. Gunship helicopters also shelled Manro and Chinyar areas of the Salarzai tehsil, about 20 kilometres northwest of Khar, and killed two terrorists, a security official said.

A local intelligence official confirmed the attack and toll. He refused to be named as he is not permitted to speak to the media.

Checkpost: At least 11 suspected terrorists were killed when security forces, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, pounded their positions in Kurram Agency.

Official sources told APP that four hideouts of the Taliban were destroyed.

The security forces promptly took action after terrorists attacked their checkpost in the agency’s Thandu area and destroyed their hideouts, which resulted in the death of 11 terrorists.

Six security personnel were also reportedly injured in the clash.

Separately, the security forces also arrested 23 suspected terrorists during search and clearance operations in various areas of Khyber Agency in the last 24 hours.

A statement issued by the NWFP Frontier Corps on Monday said the situation in Kurram Agency was gradually improving, adding that the Thal-Parachinar Road had been partially opened.

At Badama area, on Sunday an improvised explosive devices went off which injured two soldiers whose condition was later stated to be stable. One suspected terrorist was apprehended by security forces in Bajaur Agency on January 23.

Two suspected terrorists were apprehended in Dir district and handed over to police in Lal Qila on Sunday.

The security forces also set up ration distribution points in Lal Qila. Ration distribution was organised by the Rural Development Organisation.

Bajaur was the scene of a major anti-terrorist operation in August 2008 and in February 2009 the military claimed the area had been secured.

But unrest has rumbled on, with military forces again staging ground and air assaults on Bajaur, as part of an ambitious new push against Taliban strongholds across the northwest. About 30,000 troops backed by fighter jets and helicopter gunships were sent into battle against the Taliban in South Waziristan in October.
hasbanullah khan/agencies

 

[TaimiKhan]

Today, it was a busy day for A-5 fighter aircrafts, all day long the A-5s were flying, going & coming back in formations from the Kurram side and Bajaur side.

Looking at above report it seems, they were involved in the bombings too.

 

[fatman17]

Today, it was a busy day for A-5 fighter aircrafts, all day long the A-5s were flying, going & coming back in formations from the Kurram side and Bajaur side.

Looking at above report it seems, they were involved in the bombings too.

cant wait till the JF-17 takes over this CAS role!

 

[fatman17]

Rift among Bajaur Taliban widens

By Our Correspondent

Friday, 29 Jan, 2010 Differences emerged when Faqir Mohammad asked militants not to resist troops which were advancing towards Varr Mamond.

KHAR: Differences among militants in Bajaur Agency simmering for some time have widened and one group is reported to have replaced local Taliban chief Maulana Faqir Mohammad with Maulana Mohammad Jamal (Maulvi Dadullah).

Maulana Faqir was the deputy chief of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and a close associate of Baitullah Mehsud.

However, Maulana Jamal’s supporters have contradicted reports about rifts among militants and claimed that Faqir Mohammad had voluntarily quit his position. But Faqir Mohammad’s supporters said he was still the chief of the Bajaur TTP.

Sources said that the local Taliban shura had asked Faqir Mohammad to resign but he refused to do so. The shura held a meeting on Wednesday and appointed Maulana Jamal as the new chief and Burhanuddin his deputy.

These sources said that a majority of the Taliban were with Maulana Jamal.

According to Taliban sources, differences emerged last summer when Faqir Mohammad asked militants not to resist troops which were advancing towards the militants stronghold of Varr Mamond and most members of the shura opposed his directive.



At that time senior ‘commanders’, including Qari Ziaur Rehman and Maulana Inayet Rehman, intervened and worked out a compromise.

Meanwhile, fighting escalated in the region and 25 militants and two soldiers were killed and several others injured.

According to sources, militants attacked a security post in Mulla Syed area of Salarzai tehsil with heavy weapons, killing one soldier of Tochi Scouts and injuring three others.

At least 10 militants were killed and five others injured in the ensuing clash that lasted two hours.

Security forces claimed to have taken control of the strategic area of Chinar and advanced towards other areas.



Several bunkers and hideouts of militants were destroyed. Volunteers of the Salarzai lashkar were supporting the operation, local people said.

According to military sources, 15 militants and a soldier were killed in bombings and clashes on Wednesday.

They said that troops backed by tanks and armoured personnel carriers had advanced to Ward Mamond and entered the village of Jabba, some 4kms from Sewai, the tehsil headquarters.

Local people said militants in the village were putting up stiff resistance. Firing continued till late night and a number of bodies, mostly of militants, were lying in fields.

Militants were reported to have killed Malak Manras Khan who had been kidnapped along with two other tribal elders.

 

[air marshal]

Explosion kills two security men in Mohmand Agency

GHALANAI, Jan 31 (APP): Two security men were martyred in a landmine explosion near Ziarat check-post in Mohmadgate, some 50 kilometer north of the agency’s headquarter Ghalanai in Mohmand Agency here Sunday.

According to political administration, the security officials were supplying drinking water for the troops deployed to Mohmandgate check-post Lakro near Ziarat, situated on the hilltop, when a landmine planted in the way went-off suddenly.

Resultantly, two security officials died on the spot while two received injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Investigation has been started.

 

[fatman17]

Taliban lose key hilltop in Bajaur

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

14 militants killed, hideouts destroyed

By our correspondent

KHAR: Security forces backed by gunship helicopters and fighter jets took control of a strategically important hilltop in Khaza Sar and Damadola in the Mamond subdivision of Bajaur Agency after fierce clashes with militants on Monday.

Official sources told The News that security forces also killed 14 militants and apprehended 27 others while a number of hideouts were destroyed in the daylong action in the troubled Damadola and adjoining areas.

The sources said security forces heavily bombed the suspected hideouts of the militants with gunship helicopters and fighter planes in Damadola, Jani Shah and adjoining areas in Mamond subdivision.

Seven militants were killed and several of their hideouts were destroyed in the blitz. Security forces also targeted the militants’ positions with artillery throughout Sunday night and killed seven more militants.

The sources said security forces took control of Damadola after a fierce clash with the militants, who were forced to flee the area early in the day. Later, security forces established points in Damadola and on the hilltop in Khaza Sar and hoisted the national flag after several years of the Taliban’s hold in the area.

Security forces also strengthened their positions in Sewai, the erstwhile stronghold of the Taliban fighters, by deploying more troops. According to reports, security forces had started patrolling the Sewai and Damadola areas, where the militants had earlier set up parallel judicial system and training camps.

Security forces carried out a search operation and arrested 27 militants, who were later shifted to a secret place for interrogation. The sources said the residents of Dabar, Sasaray, Khararai Jalawana and Bar Cham areas in Mamond had started migrating to safer places.

The authorities clamped curfew in Khar town and the adjoining areas for the third consecutive day. All the government institutions and departments, trade centres and business markets were closed.

The sources added that the militants fired several rockets at the security checkpoints established in Khar and Bar Killay College. The rockets, however, missed the target and landed in the fields.

 

[Roby]

Bajaur tribesmen kill, hang two militants

KHAR, Pakistan: Tribesmen shot two militants to death and hung their bodies from an electricity pole in a region bordering Afghanistan where insurgent activity is on the upswing, a government official said.

The incident comes as authorities probe reports that Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud died in a US missile strike elsewhere in the northwest.

Official Abdul Malik said the bodies were displayed Tuesday in the Inayat Kali area in the Bajaur tribal region.

Bajaur was the focus of a previous military offensive that seemed largely successful in clearing out the Taliban and al-Qaida. But insurgents have recently staged a comeback.

Malik also said security forces had killed eight more militants in overnight raids in the region.

 

[air marshal]

20 terrorists killed, solider martyred in Bajaur skirmishes: FC

PESHAWAR Feb 1 (APP): As many as 20 terrorists have been killed and a solider martyred while another 11 injured during fierce clashes between security forces and terrorists at Sewai , Damadola, Chiangai, Shinkot and Kharkai areas of Bajaur Agency during last 24 hours, an FC press release said on Monday.

The security forces also apprehended three suspected terrorists and took control of Sewai in Bajaur Agency.

A convoy of 35 civil vehicles carrying daily commodity items escorted by Frontier Corps reached Parachinar from Peshawar in Kurram Agency on last Sunday. In Mohmand Agency, two solider were martyred and two injured due to an IED blast at Chashma Zairat post on Sunday last. Three terrorists have been apprehended by security forces.

In District Dir, during cordon and search operation in Awarai village, a number of weapons and ammunitions were recovered.

 

[air marshal]

Thousands flee as 22 killed in Bajaur
Tuesday, 02 Feb, 2010

By Our Correspondent

KHAR: At least 22 militants were killed and 12 others injured when military planes, helicopter gunships and artillery attacked militants’ hideouts in Bajaur Agency on Monday.

Thousands of people were seen fleeing the from Mamond area to safe places in and around Khar. Militant positions in Sewai, Damadola, Khaza, Senai, Janishah and Banda areas of Mamond tehsil were attacked.

Security forces claimed to have destroyed several hideouts and bunkers. According to sources, three security personnel were injured in a clash in Damadola.

The bodies of two security personnel missing for a couple of days were found in the Banda area.

Local people said the bodies of about 20 suspected militants killed in clashes with security personnel were lying around Banda hills.

According to sources, people appealed to the troops to announce a temporary ceasefire so that they could retrieve and bury the bodies. Security forces also claimed to have taken control of Khaza and Banda hilltops.

Troops took control of Sewai and Jani Shah in Mamond and reached Seyai, about 1km away from Damadola which was still under militants’ control.

According to the sources, about 4,000 people left their homes in Dabbar, Badan, Sewai and Shago on Monday.

The fleeing people were facing difficulties because of shortage of transport and most of them walked for about 25kms to reach safe areas. They said they had left their belongings in their homes.

The administration has closed all educational institutions for an indefinite period. The agency headquarters of Khar and adjoining areas have been under curfew for three days, the Peshawar-Bajaur road and all markets have been closed.

DAWN.COM | Front Page | Thousands flee as 22 killed in Bajaur

 

[Slides]

Local lashkar killed two taliban and hung their bodies from a pole in khar

 

[fatman17]

Security forces advance on Damadola

By Anwarullah Khan

Wednesday, 03 Feb, 2010

Security forces have continued advancing on Damadola, taking control of surrounding areas.

Bajaur tribesmen kill, hang two militants Bajaur tribesmen kill, hang two militants KHAR: Security forces are advancing on the Taliban stronghold of Damadola in Bajaur tribal region and have inflicted heavy casualties on militants in gunbattles since Monday.

Security officials told journalists that 18 terrorists were killed and 12 others injured in Sewai, Daber, Badan and Damadola, where troops encountered fierce resistance.

Jet fighters and Cobra helicopters bombed suspected militants’ positions in Mamond and Salarazai tehsils where ground forces, backed by heavy artillery, had launched an operation against militants last week.

An official said that security forces continued advancing on Damadola, taking control of surrounding areas.

This correspondent saw flattened hideouts and houses of militants in Sewai and other areas of Mamond tehsil. Security forces were using tanks and bulldozers in the demolition operation. Militants had fled the area.

Lt-Col Rana Munawar, in charge of Operation Sher Dill, told journalists at a press briefing that around 60 militants had been killed in the ongoing offensive. It would continue till restoration of the government’s writ, he added.

The operation was launched in August 2008 and major parts of Bajaur had been secured.

 

[air marshal]

Forces kill 12 terrorists in Bajaur, apprehends 16 militants: FC

PESHAWAR Feb.04 (APP): Security forces are advancing and consolidating their possessions successfully in restive parts of the Bajaur agency as 12 more terrorists were mowed down during the ongoing operations in last 24 hours, said a spokesman for the Frontier Corps.

Giving up dates for the last 24 hours, the spokesman said the security forces have successfully consolidated their positions in Sewai, Damadola and Pasht areas in Bajaur agency as the paramilitary forces gunned down 12 more terrorists.

It also seized huge cache of arms and ammunition from their possession and apprehended six suspects as well, he added.
The forces, he said also nabbed two terrorists from Hangu district bordering Kurram agency and successfully retialiated the onslaught of the militants at their check post.

In Mohmand Agency, an exchange of fire took place between terrorists and Security Forces, which was effectively retaliated.
Meanwhile a grand Jirga of Halimzai tribe was held in Upper Mohmand, which was attended by 50 to 60 prominent elders.
The Political Administration persuaded the Jirga to immediately hand over the wanted outlaws to the government to which the Jirga sought five days time to surrender the wanted persons.

In Khyber Agency two solidiers were hurt in an IED blast near Nallah. Later the forces during search operation in the area arrested eight suspected terrorists including an important commander.

 

[TaimiKhan]

So after nine years, Pakistani flag reappears in Damadola, Great going by PA & FC

PESHAWAR: Security forces on Saturday gained control over the Damadola area in Bajaur Agency, which is believed to be a stronghold of militants.

The military operation in Mamond Tehsil was halted for some time after the Mamond tribesmen agreed to handover wanted militants. However, when they failed to fulfil their promise, forces launched a fresh offensive in the area.

According to the FC media cell, after clearing 90 per cent of the area in Bajaur, security forces have launched a fresh offensive in the Mamond Tehsil.

Forces backed by gunship helicopters and jet fighters have been targeting militant hideouts for the last several days.

During gun battles in Mandal, Damadola, Kas and surrounding villages, scores of militants have been killed and their hideouts destroyed.

Almost all remaining tehsils of the Bajaur agency including Khar, Charmang, and Salarzai have been cleared of militants. Meanwhile some parts of lower Mamond are still under the control of militants lead by Maulvi Faqeer.

 

[rizhussain44]

Pakistan says seizes Taliban base on Afghan border

Sun Feb 7, 2010 4:33am EST

By Sahibzada Bahauddin

PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Feb 7 (Reuters) - Pakistani forces have captured a stronghold of al Qaeda-backed militants near the Afghan border after days of clashes in which 60 militants were killed, the military said.

Pakistani security forces mounted a major offensive in the ethnic Pashtun Bajaur tribal region in 2008 and declared it largely cleared after months of clashes.

But militants, joined by comrades infiltrating from Afghanistan, staged a comeback in the region in recent weeks. Fourteen people were killed in a suicide bombing at a security checkpost in Bajaur late last month.

Backed by fighter jets and helicopter gunships, Pakistani security forces helped by members of a militia from the area launched a new push to clear parts of Bajaur on Jan. 27.

The military says it is now in control of the strategic Damadola area, about 12 km (7 miles) north of Bajaur's main town of Khar.

Damadola is an important militant stronghold and was the first Pakistani area to be attacked by pilotless U.S. drones.

INTENSIFIED DRONE STRIKES

In January 2006, CIA-operated drones fired missiles into a house in Damadola in the belief that al Qaeda number two, Ayman al Zawahri, was there. At least 18 villagers were killed.

The United States has intensified drone strikes in Pakistan's lawless tribal belt, known as a hub for Islamist militants from various parts of the world, since September 2008, killing hundreds of people, including many Pakistani and foreign militants.

The fighting in Bajaur follows bigger offensives over the past 10 months in the Swat valley, northwest of Islamabad, and the South Waziristan Pakistani Taliban stronghold.

The United States has praised Pakistani action against militants attacking the Pakistani state, but wants its ally to extend its fighting to Afghan Taliban based in lawless border enclaves who attack Western troops in Afghanistan.

But the head of U.S. Central Command, Gen. David Petraeus, has played down the possibility of any new, large-scale Pakistani offensive against those insurgent groups in the immediate future.

Petraeus told Reuters in an interview last week Pakistan's military was stretched thin trying to consolidate gains from offensives in the past year against Pakistani Taliban.

The paramilitary Frontier Corps said a number of militant hideouts had been destroyed in the Bajaur fighting.

"Terrorists were using this area as a base for their terrorist activities," the paramilitary force said late on Saturday, adding that 60 militants and seven soldiers were killed in the fighting.

There was no independent confirmation of the casualties. (Additional reporting and writing by Zeeshan Haider; Editing by Robert Birsel and Bill Tarrant) (For more Reuters coverage of Afghanistan and Pakistan, see: here)