Pakistan - Swat valley

Army claims up to 60 Taliban killed in north-west offensive

Article published on the 2009-05-01 Latest update 2009-05-01 17:15 TU

A Pakistani paramilitary soldier poses with a rocket launcher as he guards in a troubled area of Pakistan's Lower Dir district
(Photo: Reuters)

Pakistani government forces have killed between 55 and 60 Taliban fighters in the offensive in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). As civilians flee the fighting, the Taliban are reported to have taken security personnel hostage and then released them, although there are conflicting claims as to their number.

Helicopter gunships and ground troops killed between 55 and 60 Taliban, including a dozen would-be suicide-bombers, in Buner district, according to army spokseperson Major-General Athar Abbas at a press briefing Friday.

That would mean that 200 Islamist fighters have been killed in Operation Black Thunder since its launch at the beginning of the week. The Taliban claim the figure is much lower and that military losses are higher than the official count of 13.

More than 50 Taliban on Friday captured a paramilitary building in Upper Dir, which has so far been unaffected by the fighting, according to officials They say ten security personnel were captured but later freed.

The Islamists' spokesperson Muslim Khan claims that 150 security forces personnel were taken hostage and then released in the Jor area, according to The News daily.

Local people are reported to be either confined to their homes or fleeing the area. The News says that camps for displaced people are to be set up in Buner district.

Provincial government officials on Friday met Islamic cleric Soofi Muhammad, who has been acting as go-between with the Taliban, for the first time since talks were suspened on Monday. They rejected an appeal to halt the offensive, saying that it would continue until the rebels lay down their arms. 

"Both sides are trying to save this agreement because they believe that this is still workable, it can assure peace," reports correspondent Behroz Khan.

In Washington on Thursday US Defence Secretary Robert Gates appealed to Congress for more money for military aid to Pakistan. He said that funds would run out in mid-May unless more cash is paid up quickly.

The Obama adminstration believes that Pakistan is of key importance to world security and vital to its plans for neighbouring Afghanistan.