Pakistani Forces Battle Taliban Militants in Swat Valley Towns
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By Michael Heath
May 19 (Bloomberg) -- Pakistani security forces battled Taliban militants in the streets of Swat Valley towns, as the U.S. prepared to send aid to civilians who fled the fighting.
Troops began the urban offensive after jets and helicopter gunships struck Taliban hideouts, ammunition dumps and training camps in the northwestern valley, military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told reporters yesterday.
Pakistani forces are fighting about 4,000 insurgents in Swat and neighboring districts who reneged on a peace accord and last month advanced toward the capital, Islamabad, even after the government agreed to impose Islamic law in the area.
The United Nations says about 1.2 million people have been displaced since May 2. The army offensive is being waged under pressure from the Obama administration, which says the extremists pose an “existential threat” to Pakistan’s government and endanger American security.
The U.S. Defense Department is drawing up plans to send food, water and tents to civilians displaced by the offensive, spokesman Bryan Whitman said, adding details are being worked out with the State Department.
“We want to be there to help them,” Whitman told reporters yesterday, according to the Pentagon news service.
Pakistani forces are fighting militants in the town of Kanju, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Swat’s main city, Mingora, where thousands of civilians are trapped without food.
Pakistan’s military also reported “fierce clashes” with insurgents in other parts of Swat including the town of Matta, north of Mingora.
‘Human Shields’
Militants have laid landmines in Mingora and prevented many people from fleeing so they can be used as “human shields” to deter army attacks, Human Rights Watch said, citing residents.
About 10,000 civilians remain and several thousand Taliban fighters are in the city, the New York-based group said.
“If Pakistan wants to win not just the battle for Swat but also a sustainable peace, its armed forces need to minimize civilian casualties and suffering,” Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
Heavy weapons won’t be used in populated areas, military spokesman Abbas said yesterday.
The army killed 27 militants, including three commanders, in 24 hours, while three security personnel died, Abbas said. The offensive in the districts of Lower Dir, Buner and Swat began on April 26.
Cross-Party Conference
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani yesterday won support at a cross-party conference in Islamabad for the campaign.
Gilani reiterated calls for the Taliban to lay down their arms and vowed that the army would remain in the districts until all refugees were able to return home.
Pakistan’s military first deployed in Swat, once a popular tourist destination 250 kilometers (155 miles) northwest of Islamabad, in 2007 in an effort to crush militants who set up Islamic courts. The fighters responded by beheading local officials, burning schools and banning education for girls.
Authorities agreed to appoint Islamic judges in Swat and neighboring districts under the February peace agreement. The Taliban last month advanced to within 100 kilometers of Islamabad.
President Barack Obama has said a five-year aid package to Pakistan worth $1.5 billion a year would be conditional on the government tackling terrorism.
To contact the reporter on this story: Michael Heath in Sydney at [email protected].
Last Updated: May 18, 2009 21:56 EDT
Share | Email | Print | A A A
By Michael Heath
May 19 (Bloomberg) -- Pakistani security forces battled Taliban militants in the streets of Swat Valley towns, as the U.S. prepared to send aid to civilians who fled the fighting.
Troops began the urban offensive after jets and helicopter gunships struck Taliban hideouts, ammunition dumps and training camps in the northwestern valley, military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas told reporters yesterday.
Pakistani forces are fighting about 4,000 insurgents in Swat and neighboring districts who reneged on a peace accord and last month advanced toward the capital, Islamabad, even after the government agreed to impose Islamic law in the area.
The United Nations says about 1.2 million people have been displaced since May 2. The army offensive is being waged under pressure from the Obama administration, which says the extremists pose an “existential threat” to Pakistan’s government and endanger American security.
The U.S. Defense Department is drawing up plans to send food, water and tents to civilians displaced by the offensive, spokesman Bryan Whitman said, adding details are being worked out with the State Department.
“We want to be there to help them,” Whitman told reporters yesterday, according to the Pentagon news service.
Pakistani forces are fighting militants in the town of Kanju, about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Swat’s main city, Mingora, where thousands of civilians are trapped without food.
Pakistan’s military also reported “fierce clashes” with insurgents in other parts of Swat including the town of Matta, north of Mingora.
‘Human Shields’
Militants have laid landmines in Mingora and prevented many people from fleeing so they can be used as “human shields” to deter army attacks, Human Rights Watch said, citing residents.
About 10,000 civilians remain and several thousand Taliban fighters are in the city, the New York-based group said.
“If Pakistan wants to win not just the battle for Swat but also a sustainable peace, its armed forces need to minimize civilian casualties and suffering,” Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
Heavy weapons won’t be used in populated areas, military spokesman Abbas said yesterday.
The army killed 27 militants, including three commanders, in 24 hours, while three security personnel died, Abbas said. The offensive in the districts of Lower Dir, Buner and Swat began on April 26.
Cross-Party Conference
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani yesterday won support at a cross-party conference in Islamabad for the campaign.
Gilani reiterated calls for the Taliban to lay down their arms and vowed that the army would remain in the districts until all refugees were able to return home.
Pakistan’s military first deployed in Swat, once a popular tourist destination 250 kilometers (155 miles) northwest of Islamabad, in 2007 in an effort to crush militants who set up Islamic courts. The fighters responded by beheading local officials, burning schools and banning education for girls.
Authorities agreed to appoint Islamic judges in Swat and neighboring districts under the February peace agreement. The Taliban last month advanced to within 100 kilometers of Islamabad.
President Barack Obama has said a five-year aid package to Pakistan worth $1.5 billion a year would be conditional on the government tackling terrorism.
To contact the reporter on this story: Michael Heath in Sydney at [email protected].
Last Updated: May 18, 2009 21:56 EDT
