SLAMABAD: The military on Tuesday apologized for the civilian casualties in Swat and adjoining areas, saying that the security forces were exercising all possible care to avoid collateral damage during the ongoing counter insurgency operation.
‘Though the number of civilian casualties is minimal, we feel sorry for those killed by splinters and accidental fire,’ military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said while briefing reporters about the progress of operation Rahe Rast. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Samsam Bukhari was also present on the occasion.
He said only the confirmed hideouts of terrorists were being attacked and collateral damage was being avoided even at the cost of the pace of operation. He said in the case of air fire, precision targeting based on authentic intelligence report was advancing the military operation without adversely affecting the civilian population.
He rejected reports that a fresh group of trained terrorists had entered the troubled area. He said no military operation was going on in South Waziristan.
He said the operation was progressing well and the security forces had secured control of around half of Mingora city despite resistance. He said street fight and house to house search was going on in Mingora city.
He said 29 terrorists were killed in various areas of Swat during exchange of fire with the security forces while another 14 were arrested. Six soldiers laid down their lives and 11 others were injured. General Athar Abbas said 18 miscreants were killed in Mingora during exchange of fire and seven were arrested while escaping towards Buner.
He said four improvised explosive devices had been defused. Malakand-Qambar-Mingora road has been opened. In Qambar Security Forces defused 12 IEDs and also recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition. Kanju-Kabal road has been cleared and fierce fighting is on for securing of Kabal.
About Peochar, he said security forces continued with cordon and search operation and destroyed the strongholds of miscreants at Mano Derai. During exchange of fire three miscreants were killed while three were apprehended.
He said security forces have attained foothold at Bagh Derai. During the clash with miscreants, one soldier was killed and one got injured at Sambat Bridge near Fateh Pur. A 30 member Jirga arrived at Kuz Durshkhela to express their support for Army operation in the area.
A remote control shaped charged IED of 20 kg explosive was also defused at Pir Kalai by the troops. Security Forces have cleared Sakhra valley, the main route of terrorist’s movement from Peochar towards Kalam and other areas.
About Buner, he said 90 per cent area of Buner had been cleared. Some terrorists are present at Pir Baba, but to keep the sanctity of Ziarat, firing is being avoided. During search at check posts, four miscreants have been arrested.
He said last night 100 to 120 terrorists attacked Kalpani Post in Dir from three directions. Kalpani Post seals Maidan valley route from the north and terrorists are desperate to remove this post. The attack was repulsed and miscreants suffered heavy casualities. He said eight dead bodies have been recovered in close vicinity of check post and few are visible at a distance. Two security personnel laid down their lives and three got injured including an officer.
He dispelled the impression that operation Rahe Rast was snail-paced saying that it was not a traditional operation. ‘We will ensure that the terrorists do not stage a come back in the area,’ he remarked.
Asked as to why the senior leadership of Taliban could not be targeted, he said it was essential to keep certain things confidential to achieve success. He said the terrorists were being encircled and cornered. He said their morale was now going down and they were trying to flee different areas.
Responding to a question, he said the terrorists succeeded in securing gun-powder from the mining areas. He said the IEDs being used by terrorists were locally manufactured.
Referring to the relief activities, he said five trucks of Army rations have been despatched to Khawazakhela. Three truck loads of bedding and mix rations items were delivered to IDPs of Union Council Saro Shah. Seven truck loads of rations items and non food items were delivered to 5000 IDPs of Union Council Guli Bagh, Bakhshali, Gujrat, Balagarhi, Takhat Bahi, Mayar and Baghdada. Four trucks loads have been dispatched for the stranded people of Mingora while six more will be despatched shortly.
Samsam Bokhari said the operation was progressing well and had achieved success beyond expectations. He said though it was difficult to give a time-frame for its completion, heexpressed the confidence that the nation will soon hear good news. He said the Taliban were facing retreat and now had started making statements that they do not want war.
He said it was the priority of the government to ensure safe and honourable return of internally displaced persons to their respective areas in minimum possible time.
Source: dawn.com
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