18 militants killed, 2 soldiers martyred in Waziristan operation

RAWALPINDI: In last 24 hours, 18 militants were killed and 13 were apprehended in various areas of Swat and South Waziristan, while 2 soldiers embraced shahadat and 4 soldiers and 4 civilians were injured, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday.

According to the ISPR, normalcy is returning at Mingora at fast pace. Provision of food items and medicines are being organized and executed. Security forces have launched the operation to secure Charbagh. Heavy clashes are taking place to secure Jangle Jerki. Security forces have also started operation to link Kabbal with Sirsanai. Forces are facing stiff resistance.

In Peochar, security forces carried out search and destroy operation in Dambar Kandao area and destroyed miscreants training center. During the operation 50-60 feet long newly constructed tunnel was destroyed and huge cache of Arms and Ammunition were also destroyed, while 1 soldier was injured due to miscreant’s fire. Newly planted IEDs in front of the tunnel were neutralized, while 9 miscreants were killed and 6 were injured.

Security Forces have commenced operation towards Shalwa Kandao and occupied height east of Waliabad and moving towards Guliabad (north of Charbagh). Miscreant’s hideout at Kalagai, was engaged, resultantly 3 miscreants were killed and 7 were apprehended.

Meanwhile, five trucks carrying 25 tons of rations have been dispatched for the stranded people of Khawazakhela and army provided two trucks of relief goods for IDPs at Thana and Chakdara.

Curfew relaxed in parts of Swat

SWAT: Security forces on Monday pressed their offensive against the militants in the northwest Swat district, closing in on a key town after pushing into a strategic valley, while curfew has been relaxed in various areas of Swat and Shangla till 5pm.

Mingora, the main town in Swat, is back under government control and that troops are now hunting the top leadership of the hard-line militants in the nearby mountains.

"Security forces have encircled Charbagh town where some top militant commanders are holed up," military officials said.

Troops dropped leaflets, warning people to evacuate ahead of a possible operation in Charbagh and curfew has been relaxed to enable civilians to leave the area, which has a population of 20,000-25,000.

Charbagh lies 20 kilometers north of Mingora and has been described as one of the most important militant strongholds after Peochar.

"Checkpoints have been established in the towns of Khwazakhela and Manglawar, north and south of Charbagh respectively, to effectively cut off any possible supplies to the militants," officials said.

Attack helicopters and artillery shelled militant hideouts in Kabal and Lower Malam Jabba overnight into Monday.

The military said security forces entered Kalam, a strategic valley around 90 kilometers north of Mingora, on Sunday where operations were under way to flush out the militants.

Military says more than 1,200 militants have been killed and 80 soldiers were martyred in the onslaught, launched in the districts of Lower Dir on April 26, Buner on April 28 and Swat on May 8.

US drone strikes hit 'high-value' Al-Qaeda targets: report

WASHINGTON: US missiles from unmanned drones have eliminated about half of 20 "high-value" Al-Qaeda and other extremist targets along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, a US newspaper reported Monday.

Citing unnamed US military and intelligence officials, the newspaper said the strikes and Pakistan's ongoing military offensive in the Swat Valley have unsettled Al-Qaeda and its relative invulnerability in Pakistani mountain sanctuaries.

The report did not identify who or what the "high-value" targets were. Although Al-Qaeda remains "a serious, potent threat," the paper quotes a US counterterrorism official as saying, "they've suffered some serious losses and seem to be feeling a heightened sense of anxiety -- and that's not a bad thing at all."

A senior military official said that in the current situation, Al-Qaeda will have to undertake more open communication on cell phones and computers, even if only to gather information on the situation in the region. "Then they become more visible," the official is quoted as saying.

Younus glad Pakistan back on world stage

LONDON: Pakistan captain Younus Khan said the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 in England had a special significance for his side after their country had become a virtual 'no-go zone' for international cricket.

"It is special to be back on the world stage, especially in Twenty20 and in England, the media are here so lots of hopes are here," the talented batsman told reporters at Lord's here on Sunday.

"We are suffering from not playing regularly, and no-one is coming to Pakistan," he added.

Pakistan endured a defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India in the 2007 World Twenty20 final in South Africa and Younus would love nothing more than for his team to go one better this time.

"My confidence is that I'll take this trophy to Pakistan," he said. But such has been Pakistan's relative lack of international cricket that he added: "It will be an achievement for us to finish in the top four."

Reflecting on the 2007 final, Younus said: "The finishing touches were not there. We needed only five runs. But it was fantastic to be a part of that team in the final.

Twenty20 tends to put a premium on big-hitting batsmen at the start of the innings but Younus, whose team face England and the Netherlands in Group B, said it was not necessary to start going for big shots right from the off.

"In English conditions the new ball does seam, so you need someone like Salman Butt who can play for 20 overs. But in the middle order, we have big hitters like Shahid Afridi and Misbah-Ul-Haq."

English officials have already announced that plans are well advanced for Pakistan to play two Tests against Australia in England next year as well as a series with Andrew Strauss's men.

All set for Pak, England warm up match

NOTTINGHAM: Pakistan will take on South Africa in a warm up match in connection with the preparation of Twenty20 World Cup whereas defending champion India will face New Zealand and Australia meet Bangladesh.

The match between Pakistan and South Africa will be started at 10:30 pm.