Pakistani Forces take on militants in Buner

DAGGAR: Pakistani Security forces, backed by artillery, gunship choppers and jet fighters, launched a full-fledged operation against the militants in Buner on Tuesday, targeting their suspected hideouts in different areas, besides placing the whole district under curfew.

The militants, on the other hand, blew up a bridge, a police post in Ambaila and occupied the Paacha Police Station, sources said. Sources told The News that large contingents of security forces entered the restive district from Mardan side at 3 pm after clamping an unannounced curfew on the Ambaila area.

"Fighter planes bombed Kalil, Sherataraf, Kandao areas located on the mountainous boundary of Swat and Buner districts," the sources said, adding the militants had taken shelter in these areas. However, no casualty was reported so far. Two houses were destroyed when jet fighters targeted Mashkipur, a village near the boundary of Buner and Mardan districts.

Official sources confirmed the air strikes in the area but there was no word on loss of life. The security forces also shelled suspected hideouts of the militants with artillery from Bajkata area. The house of Ayaz Badshah was completely destroyed when a shell hit the structure. No casualty was reported.

It was learnt that the militants destroyed a bridge connecting Mardan and Buner districts near Ambaila area, besides blowing up a police post in the same vicinity. The militants later occupied the Paacha Police Station near the shrine of Sufi Saint Pir Baba.

Soon after the launch of the military operation, all the bazaars and markets were closed in Pir Baba, Swarai, Jaur and Daggar, the headquarters of the restive district. The area was in panic and the people remained indoors while a large number of residents started migration to safer places.

AP/Reuters add: Witness Mohammad Shahid Khan said he saw tanks, heavy artillery and hundreds of troops heading over the Ambaila pass leading to Buner. TV footage has shown hundreds of refugees fleeing the area, but officials have not released figures on any exodus.

The London-based Amnesty International said on Tuesday that around 33,000 people were reported to have left their homes in Lower Dir over the past two days.