Dozens killed as Pakistan army fights Taliban
Fighting between Taliban and Pakistani forces have intensified, leaving at least 50 militants dead.
Pakistan’s army has killed more than 50 militants in fighting to halt a push by Taliban militants toward the capital Islamabad. Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas also said that one member of the security forces was killed and more than 50 others abducted in the operation in the North West Buner region.
Soldiers were dropped from helicopters into the town of Dagar and were linking up with ground forces. The area is less than 100km (60 miles) from the capital, Islamabad. The government is concerned the Taliban are trying to extend their control beyond the Swat Valley, an area which they largely control already. "The airborne forces have linked up to police and Frontier Constabulary in Dagar," said Maj Gen Athar Abbas. "A link-up with ground forces is in progress."
The army launched its assault in the valley, only a few hours drive from Islamabad, on Tuesday afternoon as jets bombed militant positions. "A lot of firing took place early in the morning, a curfew is imposed in the area and they are not allowing us to come out of our houses,” Dagar resident Saleem Dil Khan told the BBC. "We are very much worried." The Pakistan government says there are as many as 500 armed Taliban fighters in Buner in violation of a peace agreement. The peace deal between the two sides this year allowed Sharia law to be adopted in large parts of Malakand division, which includes Buner, the Swat Valley and Lower Dir, in return for the Taliban laying down arms.
Fighting in Lower Dir, another mountainous region in the northwest, had ended, said chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas, according to the AFP news agency. The army said about 75 militants and 10 security personnel died in the operation. Tens of thousands of people had fled the area and many houses were damaged. The increase in army activity follows criticism from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Pakistan was abdicating to the Taliban. Last week she said the Taliban posed a "mortal threat" to world security.
By Hayley Jarvis for SOS Children
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