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Pakistan army 'retakes key town' | Pakistan army 'retakes key town' |
(30 minutes later) | |
The Pakistan army says it has taken control of a key town in Buner district in the north-west, a day after starting an offensive against the Taleban. | The Pakistan army says it has taken control of a key town in Buner district in the north-west, a day after starting an offensive against the Taleban. |
Soldiers were dropped from helicopters into the town of Dagar and were linking up with ground forces. | Soldiers were dropped from helicopters into the town of Dagar and were linking up with ground forces. |
The area is less than 100km (67 miles) from the capital, Islamabad. | The area is less than 100km (67 miles) from the capital, Islamabad. |
The government is concerned the Taleban are trying to extend their control beyond the Swat Valley, an area which they largely control already. | The government is concerned the Taleban are trying to extend their control beyond the Swat Valley, an area which they largely control already. |
"The airborne forces have linked up to police and Frontier Constabulary in Dagar," the military spokesman said. | |
"A link-up with ground forces is in progress." | |
There was no word on any casualties during Wednesday's operation, nor whether troops clashed with fighters. | There was no word on any casualties during Wednesday's operation, nor whether troops clashed with fighters. |
See a map of the region | See a map of the region |
Dagar resident Saleem Dil Khan said when the army arrived "a lot of firing took place early in the morning, a curfew is imposed in the area and they are not allowing us to come out of our houses. | |
"We are very much worried." | |
The Pakistan government accuses the Taleban of breaking a peace agreement with its armed encroachment into Buner. | The Pakistan government accuses the Taleban of breaking a peace agreement with its armed encroachment into Buner. |
The peace deal between the two sides this year allowed Sharia law to be adopted in large parts of Malakand division - which includes Buner, the Swat Valley and Lower Dir - in return for the Taleban laying down arms. | The peace deal between the two sides this year allowed Sharia law to be adopted in large parts of Malakand division - which includes Buner, the Swat Valley and Lower Dir - in return for the Taleban laying down arms. |
Fighting in Lower Dir, which prompted tens of thousands of people to flee the area, had ended, said chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas, according to the AFP news agency. | |
The army said about 75 militants and 10 security personnel died in the operation. | The army said about 75 militants and 10 security personnel died in the operation. |
The increase in army activity follows criticism from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Pakistan was abdicating responsibility to the Taleban. | |
Last week she said the Taleban posed a "mortal threat" to the world security. | |
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