Battles rage on at Pakistani borders

MIRAN SHAH – Four days of fierce fighting between Islamic militants and security forces near the Afghan border has killed as many as 250 people in some of the deadliest clashes on Pakistani soil since it threw its support behind the US-led war on terrorism in 2001, the army said yesterday.

Airstrikes hit Epi village bazaar in North Waziristan tribal region yesterday afternoon, and more than 50 militants and civilians were killed and scores more were wounded, said resident Noor Hassan. “The bombing destroyed many shops and homes,” Hassan said by telephone.”We are leaving.”Twelve huge explosions rocked the village and bombs also hit the nearby village of Hader Khel, Hassan said.Army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said that military aircraft struck ‘one or two places’ near the town of Mir Ali and there were unconfirmed reports that about 50 militants were killed.Also yesterday, a roadside bomb killed two soldiers, the army said.Epi lies about four kilometres from Mir Ali.Fighting broke out in North Waziristan on Saturday after roadside bomb hit a truckload of paramilitary troops, sparking bitter clashes.The bodies of dozens of soldiers, many with their throats slit, have been recovered from deserted areas of the region, fleeing residents said.The violence comes as Gen.Pervez Musharraf tries to secure another term as president, vowing to shore up Pakistan’s troubled effort against Islamic extremism.The army appeared to be resorting to heavy firepower.Pakistani troops have suffered mounting losses as they try to re-assert state authority in a swath of mountainous territory where warlords supportive of the Taliban and al Qaeda have seized control.Before yesterday’s airstrikes, the army had reported that battles have killed 150 fighters and 45 soldiers since Saturday.About 12-15 troops are missing.Another 50 militants and 20 soldiers had been wounded.Security forces have rejected a cease-fire proposed by the militants and will “continue punitive action till complete peace is restored” in the area, an army statement said.Pakistan struck a controversial ceasefire deal with militants in North Waziristan last year.US officials criticised the pact, claiming it gave a safe haven for al Qaeda and provided a rear base for Taliban guerrillas fighting Nato troops in Afghanistan.In July, Pakistan’s army redeployed troops at key checkpoints in the region, sparking fresh hostilities.After Saturday’s bombing, about 300 militants ambushed an army convoy travelling to the scene, killing 22 troops and wounding 11.Others were captured alive and could be still held by militants, an intelligence official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to journalists.Nampa-AP”The bombing destroyed many shops and homes,” Hassan said by telephone.”We are leaving.”Twelve huge explosions rocked the village and bombs also hit the nearby village of Hader Khel, Hassan said.Army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said that military aircraft struck ‘one or two places’ near the town of Mir Ali and there were unconfirmed reports that about 50 militants were killed.Also yesterday, a roadside bomb killed two soldiers, the army said.Epi lies about four kilometres from Mir Ali.Fighting broke out in North Waziristan on Saturday after roadside bomb hit a truckload of paramilitary troops, sparking bitter clashes.The bodies of dozens of soldiers, many with their throats slit, have been recovered from deserted areas of the region, fleeing residents said.The violence comes as Gen.Pervez Musharraf tries to secure another term as president, vowing to shore up Pakistan’s troubled effort against Islamic extremism.The army appeared to be resorting to heavy firepower.Pakistani troops have suffered mounting losses as they try to re-assert state authority in a swath of mountainous territory where warlords supportive of the Taliban and al Qaeda have seized control.Before yesterday’s airstrikes, the army had reported that battles have killed 150 fighters and 45 soldiers since Saturday.About 12-15 troops are missing.Another 50 militants and 20 soldiers had been wounded.Security forces have rejected a cease-fire proposed by the militants and will “continue punitive action till complete peace is restored” in the area, an army statement said.Pakistan struck a controversial ceasefire deal with militants in North Waziristan last year.US officials criticised the pact, claiming it gave a safe haven for al Qaeda and provided a rear base for Taliban guerrillas fighting Nato troops in Afghanistan.In July, Pakistan’s army redeployed troops at key checkpoints in the region, sparking fresh hostilities.After Saturday’s bombing, about 300 militants ambushed an army convoy travelling to the scene, killing 22 troops and wounding 11.Others were captured alive and could be still held by militants, an intelligence official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to journalists.Nampa-AP