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Pakistan pounds militant targets | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Pakistan's army is engaged in fierce fighting for the third consecutive day as it continues its drive against al-Qaeda and Taliban in South Waziristan. | |
The army has set up five temporary bases in the mountainous region near the Afghan border to try to seal off the Taliban's main stronghold. | The army has set up five temporary bases in the mountainous region near the Afghan border to try to seal off the Taliban's main stronghold. |
There is no clear word about casualties, with each side claiming the other has suffered heavy losses. | |
Residents in the remote area say dozens of people have died. | |
Reports from the region are sketchy as it is difficult and dangerous for foreign or Pakistani journalists to operate inside South Waziristan. | Reports from the region are sketchy as it is difficult and dangerous for foreign or Pakistani journalists to operate inside South Waziristan. |
At least 20,000 people have fled the area over the last week to the nearby Dera Ismail Khan. | At least 20,000 people have fled the area over the last week to the nearby Dera Ismail Khan. |
'Consolidating' | 'Consolidating' |
Clashes between security forces and the Taliban have continued throughout the night across the South Waziristan region, the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan reports from neighbouring Dera Ismail Khan. | |
But the army has ceased its push into the militant heartland and started to consolidate itself on the periphery before pushing deeper in, our correspondent says. | But the army has ceased its push into the militant heartland and started to consolidate itself on the periphery before pushing deeper in, our correspondent says. |
FORCES IN WAZIRISTAN Pakistan army: Two divisions totalling 28,000 soldiersFrontier Corp: Paramilitary forces from tribal areas likely to support armyTaliban militants: Estimated between 10,000 and 20,000Uzbek fighters supporting Taliban: Estimates widely vary between 500-5,000 Challenges in Waziristan Pakistanis reflect on offensive Targeting the Taliban | FORCES IN WAZIRISTAN Pakistan army: Two divisions totalling 28,000 soldiersFrontier Corp: Paramilitary forces from tribal areas likely to support armyTaliban militants: Estimated between 10,000 and 20,000Uzbek fighters supporting Taliban: Estimates widely vary between 500-5,000 Challenges in Waziristan Pakistanis reflect on offensive Targeting the Taliban |
Checkpoints and supply depots have been established in Sherawangai and Mandana in the south-west towards the Tiarza sub-division. | |
Security forces have used artillery to pound militant positions in Wana, Servakai, Manzai, Jandola and Razmak, in the north, south and east of the area of operations. | Security forces have used artillery to pound militant positions in Wana, Servakai, Manzai, Jandola and Razmak, in the north, south and east of the area of operations. |
Fighter jets have also been deployed to attack the Taliban in Makeen, Nawazkot, Spinkamar, Khaisora and Makeen. | Fighter jets have also been deployed to attack the Taliban in Makeen, Nawazkot, Spinkamar, Khaisora and Makeen. |
The army has also taken control of the key Ingalmall mountain range, which marks the passage into Afghanistan. | |
This will play an important role in disrupting the militants' supply lines and in ensuring more help does not arrive from Afghanistan, our correspondent adds. | This will play an important role in disrupting the militants' supply lines and in ensuring more help does not arrive from Afghanistan, our correspondent adds. |
According to reports, the Taliban have been using heavy weapons to fire back at the troops. | According to reports, the Taliban have been using heavy weapons to fire back at the troops. |
A Taliban spokesman said they had taken dozens of soldiers and not one of their men had been killed. | A Taliban spokesman said they had taken dozens of soldiers and not one of their men had been killed. |
'Getting nothing' | 'Getting nothing' |
Meanwhile, hundreds of people from South Waziristan continue to arrive in Dera Ismail Khan to escape fighting. | Meanwhile, hundreds of people from South Waziristan continue to arrive in Dera Ismail Khan to escape fighting. |
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Dera Ismail Khan says there is very little preparation for the displaced people. | The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Dera Ismail Khan says there is very little preparation for the displaced people. |
The army has mobilised artillery and troops in the area | The army has mobilised artillery and troops in the area |
"At least 20,000 people are registered here. They are not getting anything, some are being taken in by the extended families and relatives," he says. | "At least 20,000 people are registered here. They are not getting anything, some are being taken in by the extended families and relatives," he says. |
Meanwhile, the federal government and the military have ordered the closure of educational institutions for a week in Islamabad and some other cities for security reasons. | |
The closure comes amid fears that militants may try to take hostages to force the authorities to ease pressure on their positions in South Waziristan. | |
Security is tight across Pakistan and police in Islamabad have searched a number of religious seminaries and some nearby rural areas for militants. | |
According to reports, nearly a dozen suspects have been detained in a rural locality near the city's main vegetable and fruit market. | |
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said in a statement that action would be taken against any foreign preachers, if found. | |
On Sunday, reports said Taliban militants, supported by Uzbek fighters linked to al-Qaeda, were engaged in street clashes with soldiers as the army tried to break the militants' grip on South Waziristan. | |
An army spokesman said the troops were encountering less resistance than expected but admitted the troops were progressing slowly because of the remote area's rugged, mountainous terrain. | An army spokesman said the troops were encountering less resistance than expected but admitted the troops were progressing slowly because of the remote area's rugged, mountainous terrain. |
Gen Athar Abbas told the BBC there were mines and IEDs [improvised explosive devices] in the area which required clearance. | |
The army has been massing troops near the militants' stronghold for months - ever since the governor of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province announced a ground offensive in South Waziristan on 15 June. | The army has been massing troops near the militants' stronghold for months - ever since the governor of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province announced a ground offensive in South Waziristan on 15 June. |
Pakistan's government has been under considerable pressure from the US to tackle militancy there. | Pakistan's government has been under considerable pressure from the US to tackle militancy there. |
North and South Waziristan form a lethal militant belt from where insurgents have launched attacks across north-west Pakistan as well as into parts of eastern Afghanistan. | North and South Waziristan form a lethal militant belt from where insurgents have launched attacks across north-west Pakistan as well as into parts of eastern Afghanistan. |
South Waziristan is considered to be the first significant sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan since 9/11. | South Waziristan is considered to be the first significant sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan since 9/11. |
Are you currently in South Waziristan? Have you left your home due to the military attack? Have you seen army convoys? Send us your stories using the form below. | Are you currently in South Waziristan? Have you left your home due to the military attack? Have you seen army convoys? Send us your stories using the form below. |
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