Pakistani Army Takes Major Taliban Stronghold
Media Line News Agency
October 29, 2008
After two months of heavy fighting the Pakistani army claims it has captured a strategically important Taliban military position in the country´s Bajaur province, various news agencies report.
According to unconfirmed reports some 1,500 gunmen and 73 soldiers were killed in what is being described as tough fighting in tunnels and heavy fortifications surrounding the village.
The Bajaur province is located in what is commonly referred to as the tribal areas along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The areas are semi-autonomous and are ruled by various clan elders with their own militias.
However, as Al-Qa´ida and the Taliban have increased their presence in the region over the last couple of years, the Pakistani army has increased its activities in the region.
Islamabad has also come under increased American pressure to up its military presence in the tribal areas. The region has become a safe haven for Al-Qa´ida and Taliban fighters battling the U.S.-led reconstruction of Afghanistan since its invasion in 2001.
The commander of the paramilitary Frontier Forces of the Pakistani army, Maj.-Gen. Tariq Khan, was quoted as saying the worst was over and from now on it would be easier.
He also described Bajaur as the militants´ center of gravity through being a mountainous region that gives the insurgents easy access to other Pakistani tribal areas and to Afghanistan.
According to unconfirmed reports some 1,500 gunmen and 73 soldiers were killed in what is being described as tough fighting in tunnels and heavy fortifications surrounding the village.
The Bajaur province is located in what is commonly referred to as the tribal areas along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The areas are semi-autonomous and are ruled by various clan elders with their own militias.
However, as Al-Qa´ida and the Taliban have increased their presence in the region over the last couple of years, the Pakistani army has increased its activities in the region.
Islamabad has also come under increased American pressure to up its military presence in the tribal areas. The region has become a safe haven for Al-Qa´ida and Taliban fighters battling the U.S.-led reconstruction of Afghanistan since its invasion in 2001.
The commander of the paramilitary Frontier Forces of the Pakistani army, Maj.-Gen. Tariq Khan, was quoted as saying the worst was over and from now on it would be easier.
He also described Bajaur as the militants´ center of gravity through being a mountainous region that gives the insurgents easy access to other Pakistani tribal areas and to Afghanistan.