Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Pakistan Army Attacks Al Qaeda Strongholds In Pakistan

The bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday may have been
a response to the battle in Bajaur


60 Die In Attacks On Qaeda Strongholds In Pakistan
-- International Herald Tribune


KHAR, Pakistan: Security forces backed by helicopter gunships and artillery killed more than 60 insurgents in northwest Pakistan in offensives aimed at denying haven to Al Qaeda and Taliban militants, officials said Tuesday.

The attacks come amid intense U.S. pressure on Pakistan to crack down on militants, who are blamed for attacks both in Pakistan and on coalition forces in Afghanistan.

A truck bombing that killed 53 people over the weekend at a luxury hotel in the capital, Islamabad, underscored the threat extremists pose to Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation.

More than 50 of the insurgents, along with one soldier, died in clashes since Monday in Kohat, a region that borders Pakistan's semiautonomous tribal areas, said an army spokesman, Major Murad Khan. He added that the military had retaken control of a key mountain tunnel from the insurgents.

Read more ....

More News On The Fight Between Pakistan And Al Qaeda

Battle of Bajaur: A Critical Test for Pakistan’s Daunted Military -- New York Times
Pakistan bombing: Government promises intensive battle against militants -- The Telegraph
Pakistan army says 60 suspected militants killed -- Washington Post
Pakistan army says 50 suspected militants killed -- Yahoo News/AP

My Comment: There are too few sources for an independent confirmation, but refugees are fleeing the area by the thousands.

Pakistan to target rebel hotspots -- BBC News
Pakistani guards on front line of bombing campaign -- Reuters

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