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Pakistan pounds militant targets Pakistan 'push into Taliban area'
(about 2 hours later)
Pakistan's army is engaged in fierce fighting for a third consecutive day as it continues its drive against al-Qaeda and the Taliban in South Waziristan. The Pakistani army has said it has pushed deeper into South Waziristan as it battles to wrestle control of the region from the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
The army has set up five bases in the region near the Afghan border to try to seal off the Taliban's main stronghold. On the offensive's third day, the army said it had captured important strategic heights in the mountains.
The army says nine soldiers and 78 militants have been killed since Saturday. The Taliban says the army has suffered heavy losses in fighting. Nine soldiers and 78 militants have now been killed, the army says, though no independent verification of the figures is possible.
Up to 100,000 civilians have fled the conflict zone, an army spokesman said. Up to 100,000 civilians have fled the conflict zone, according to the army.
The Taliban, who claim not to have lost a single fighter, say they have killed many more Pakistani soldiers than the nine reported by the army.
Residents in the remote area say dozens of people have died since the offensive began.Residents in the remote area say dozens of people have died since the offensive began.
Pressure
The army has set up five bases in the region near the Afghan border to try to seal off the Taliban's main stronghold.
I decided to leave when my neighbour's house was destroyed by jet fighters Rahim Dad MehsudLabourer from South WaziristanI decided to leave when my neighbour's house was destroyed by jet fighters Rahim Dad MehsudLabourer from South Waziristan
There has been no independent confirmation of the casualty figures. Reports from the region remain sketchy as the army is denying access to both foreign and Pakistani journalists within South Waziristan.
Reports from the region remain sketchy as it is difficult and dangerous for foreign or Pakistani journalists to operate inside South Waziristan.
Meanwhile, US Central Command chief David Petraeus, who oversees the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, is holding talks with senior Pakistani military officials in Islamabad.Meanwhile, US Central Command chief David Petraeus, who oversees the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, is holding talks with senior Pakistani military officials in Islamabad.
Separately, US Senator John Kerry is meeting Pakistani leaders in Islamabad. 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 militants: several hundred class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8296245.stm">Challenges in Waziristan class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8312646.stm">Pakistanis reflect on offensive
He is expected to discuss America's multibillion-dollar aid package for Pakistan, amid concerns by some officials in the country that it comes with unacceptable strings attached. South Waziristan is considered to be the first significant sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan since the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US and Pakistan's government has been under considerable pressure from the US to tackle militancy there.
US Senator John Kerry is currently meeting Pakistani leaders in Islamabad where he is expected to discuss America's multibillion-dollar aid package for Pakistan, amid concerns by some officials in the country that it comes with unacceptable strings attached.
'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. Clashes between security forces and the Taliban have continued across the South Waziristan region, the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan reports from neighbouring Dera Ismail Khan.
ANALYSIS Syed Shoaib Hasan, BBC News, Dera Ismail Khan At the moment, the situation is a stalemate as the army tries to use ground troops backed by heavy weapons and air power to push back the Taliban.ANALYSIS Syed Shoaib Hasan, BBC News, Dera Ismail Khan At the moment, the situation is a stalemate as the army tries to use ground troops backed by heavy weapons and air power to push back the Taliban.
The militants have entrenched themselves in fortified positions in the areas where the military is marching in. But they are likely to resort to traditional guerrilla tactics once the army is firmly inside territory controlled by the Mehsud tribe.The militants have entrenched themselves in fortified positions in the areas where the military is marching in. But they are likely to resort to traditional guerrilla tactics once the army is firmly inside territory controlled by the Mehsud tribe.
This is the heartland of the resistance, and it is here that the fate of the campaign will be decided.This is the heartland of the resistance, and it is here that the fate of the campaign will be decided.
The battleground for the opening round has mainly been conducted in arid lowlands so far. But it is how the soldiers fight in the mountains and forests that will be the key to the success of this operation.
Tough fight against TalibanTough fight against Taliban
But the army has ceased its push into the militant heartland - the territory controlled by the Mehsud tribe - and started to consolidate itself on the periphery before pushing deeper in, our correspondent says.
Checkpoints and supply depots have been established in Sherawangai and Mandana in the south-west towards the Tiarza sub-division.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.
So far, the troops have advanced on the Jandola-Srarogha access and have secured Sherwam, Torghundai and Kotkai areas.
The army is reported to have blown up ammunition dumps - some hidden in caves.
Fighter jets have also been deployed to attack the Taliban in Makeen, Nawazkot, Spinkamar and Khaisora.Fighter jets have also been deployed to attack the Taliban in Makeen, Nawazkot, Spinkamar and Khaisora.
The army has also taken control of the key Ingalmall mountain range, which marks the passage into Afghanistan. Meanwhile the army has 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.
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.
'Getting nothing''Getting nothing'
Meanwhile, hundreds of people from South Waziristan continue to arrive in Dera Ismail Khan to escape fighting. Hundreds of people from South Waziristan continue to arrive in Dera Ismail Khan to escape fighting.
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 militants: several hundred class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8296245.stm">Challenges in Waziristan class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8312646.stm">Pakistanis reflect on offensive Aleem Maqbool describes the influx of people fleeing the conflict zone
"I decided to leave when my neighbour's house was destroyed by jet fighters," Rahim Dad Mehsud, a labourer from Tiarza, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency."I decided to leave when my neighbour's house was destroyed by jet fighters," Rahim Dad Mehsud, a labourer from Tiarza, was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
He said he had walked three days to get to Dera Ismail Khan with his 12 relatives.He said he had walked three days to get to Dera Ismail Khan with his 12 relatives.
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.
"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. He adds aid agencies have told him they have been asked by the government not to give assistance to the displaced people because of fears it may be channelled back to help tribesman and militants.
The federal government and the military have ordered the closure of many schools and colleges for a week in Islamabad and some other cities for security reasons.The federal government and the military have ordered the closure of many schools and colleges for a week in Islamabad and some other cities for security reasons.
The move comes amid fears that militants may try to take hostages to force the authorities to ease pressure on their positions in South Waziristan, correspondents say.The move comes amid fears that militants may try to take hostages to force the authorities to ease pressure on their positions in South Waziristan, correspondents say.
Aleem Maqbool describes the influx of people fleeing the conflict zone
Security is tight across Pakistan and police in Islamabad have searched a number of religious seminaries and some nearby rural areas for militants.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 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.
Gen Abbas said the troops were encountering less resistance than expected but admitted they were progressing slowly because of the remote area's rugged, mountainous terrain.
He 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.
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.
South Waziristan is considered to be the first significant sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan since the 11 September 2001 attacks in the US.
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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