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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. | "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." | "A link-up with ground forces is in progress." |
See a map of the region The army launched its assault in the valley, only a few hours drive from Islamabad, on Tuesday afternoon as jets bombed militant positions. | |
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. |
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. | 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." | "We are very much worried." |
The Pakistan government says there are as many as 500 armed Taleban fighters in Buner in violation of a peace agreement. | |
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, another mountainous region in the northwest, 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. |
Tens of thousands of people had fled the area and many houses were damaged. | |
The increase in army activity follows criticism from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Pakistan was abdicating to the Taleban. | |
Last week she said the Taleban posed a "mortal threat" to the world security. | Last week she said the Taleban posed a "mortal threat" to the world security. |
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