Army finds proof of Indian involvement in South Waziristan: DG ISPR.

ISLAMABAD, November 02, 2009 (Balochistan Times): The security forces have found substantial evidence of Indian involvement for assisting terrorists in South Waziristan Agency, Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abbas said. Indian literature and weapons under the use of terrorists have been recovered from South Waziristan and more evidence is being gathered, he said addressing a joint media briefing on Operation Rah e Nijat here Monday. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Secretary Information Suhail Mansoor and Principal Information Officer Ch. Rashid Ahmed were also present. We have sent all the proves of Indian involvement to the Foreign Office for their onward presentation at the appropriate forum, he said. Director General ISPR said that the security forces have given big surprise to the terrorists in South Waziristan thus achieving major successes. The terrorists are in a state of shock and surprise due to the valour and bravery shown by the security forces personnel during the operation, he said. He said the security forces fully enjoy the sustained support of the whole nation and the terrorists are on the run. Major General Athar Abbas said the forces have taken over complete control of terrorists stronghold of Kaniguram town and village Karama near Sararogha. He said these places were strongholds of Uzbek origin terrorists. During the clearance operation, he said the terrorists suffered heavy causality. Giving details of the operation, he said 12 terrorists were killed during last 24 hours while 6 personnel of security forces losses sustained injuries. He said security forces are extending their perimeter of security and closing in towards Sararogha. Expansion of positions held on the ridges from different directions towards Sararogha is in progress. Sporadic Mortar and Small Arms fire is being received by security forces from different areas of the town. During exchange of fire with terrorists 4 terrorists have been killed while 6 soldiers got injured. On Shakai - Kaniguram Axis, he said house to house search and clearance of compounds are being undertaken at Kaniguram town which has been cleared and secured to 100 % by security forces. During search operation huge quantity of arms and ammunition and explosives was recovered. Besides, he said five truckloads of arms and ammunition have also been recovered. Security forces conducted search operation in areas Shin Sar and Guru Sar and recovered 1000 rounds of SMG. Security forces secured point 7121 and Mingora Sar. During the engagements 8 terrorists were killed. He said on Razmak- Makeen Axis the Security forces are consolidating their positions on the ridges along road Razmak - Makeen. The important village of China just adjacent to Makeen has been secured and the army has full control of the areas, he added. The DG ISPR said huge cache of arms and ammunition have been recovered from different huts, caves and compounds. He said security forces neutralized 20 IEDs during clearance of China. Security forces also secured Kam Narakai located 2 kilometers west of China village and recovered huge cache of ammunition, he added. In Swat - Malakand, he said in last 24 hours, 22 suspects have been apprehended from different areas and 2 terrorists have voluntarily surrendered. He said during search operation at Piochar, a tunnel has been discovered with 20 APM mines, 2 Kilograms explosive, 4 bottles of liquid chemicals, 250 grams gun powder, 2 directional mines and 1 x detonator box. During search operation at Muraday 7 kilometers north east of Piochar, 7 SMGs, 1x rifle G-3, 1 x rifle 7 mm, 2 x rifles 303 mm and plenty of ammunition of different calibres has been recovered, he added. The DG ISPR said during search operation at Shahdara, 1 kilometre north of Roringar, 42 SMGs with 1200 rounds and 41 rifles 7 mm have been recovered. During search operation in Derai near Kanju, 1 terrorist apprehended and 3 explosive filled cylinders, 1 x IED, 11 x rounds of 130 mm including 3 prepared IEDs, 30 kilograms explosive, 30 kilograms chemical, 20 x rockets of RPG-7, 21 x grenades, 2 x rounds of 60 mm mortar, 800 rounds of Kalashnikovs have been recovered from the area. To a question Major General Athar Abbas said three divisions of army are taking part in operation while the terrorists strongholds in SWA have been surrounded from three different directions. He added that main leadership of the terrorists is not taking part in the fighting. The DG ISPR said terrorists may be moving in small groups as they are not in a position to move in big number due to the presence of security forces in the area. Athar Abbas said three roads connecting Waziristan with other areas are under the control of the army and vehicular movement on the cross section is being strictly monitored. While the jeepable courses in the area are also being checked properly. To another question he said so for security forces have not killed or apprehended main leadership operating in Waziristan. We have never said that we will not kill or arrest the main leadership of terrorists involved in anti-state activities, he said. However, he said that army is trying to reach the population stuck up in the remote areas operational zone. He said the security forces have arrested and killed main leadership of Taliban in Swat and Malakand division. He warned the people of Waziristan not to cooperate with terrorists and never allow them to take refuge in their area.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)