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| India-Pakistan |
| Taliban 'besiege' Khar |
| 2008-08-11 |
| The security forces targeted the suspected hideouts of Taliban militants in Loyi Sum area on Sunday. The security forces had vacated the area of Loyi Sum on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Taliban militants have surrounded Khar town. The civilian population is migrating from Khar, headquarters of Bajaur Agency, to other safer places fearing more clashes between the security forces and the militants. The forces targeted the suspected hideouts of the militants with artillery and gunship helicopters in Khar, Loyi Sum, Tankkhata, Banda, Charmang, Rahgan, Haji Lawang and Mullah Keley to stop the militants from making further advancement to other areas while the local tribesmen confirmed that a number of militants had reached Khar and established checkposts all over the area. There are also reports suggesting that both the security forces and Taliban militants are engaged in consolidating their positions for another and probably 'decisive round' of fighting. "The security forces vacated Loyi Sum in accordance to war strategies", remarked an Frontier Constabulary official on Sunday while confirming the retreat, which Taliban militants interpreted as their 'victory'. Moreover, Taliban militants have also claimed to have caught and killed at least five soldiers and five others were made hostage when they refused to surrender. However, independent sources and officials didn't confirm militants claims. Meanwhile, fearing more clashes and increasing uncertainty, thousands of people are migrating from the area for security to other adjacent place like Dir, Malakand and Mohmand Agencies. Because of the precarious situation, almost all bazaars and markets remained closed and there was an acute shortage of edible items and of other commodities of daily use all over Bajaur Agency. No transport facility was available, as all roads remained closed. Monitoring Desk adds: More than 100 militants and nine soldiers have been killed in four days of heavy fighting in Bajaur Agency, officials said. However, Taliban militants have claimed that they have surrounded Khar town, reports BBC. Taliban said that only seven of their men died. Neither claim has been independently verified. The forces moved to Khar, the main town in the Bajaur tribal agency, to where the Taliban are reported to have followed them. The militants have now surrounded the town, according to a government official in Khar, who spoke to the BBC on condition of anonymity. |
| Posted by:Fred |