Pakistan - South Waziristan

Taliban use heavy weapons to fight off army offensive

Article published on the 2009-10-17 Latest update 2009-10-17 13:47 TU

Security forces stand guard at the site of a suicide car bomb attack in Peshawar on Friday
(Photo: Reuters)

Pakistani troops have run into resistance from Taliban using heavy weapons against their offensive in South Waziristan. After months of aerial bombardment ground troops moved against Taliban bases in the rugged region on Saturday.

The troops, backed by warplanes and helicopter gunships, moved on Taliban strongholds on Saturday, ahead of an all-out assault on the rebels.

The operation will be brief, according to military officials, because of the approach of winter with snow possible.

The troop movement has been accompanied by an indefinite curfew in the district around the main town of Wana and in Shakai and Tiarza. A massive evacuation is taking place, partly impeded by the curfew, with residents heading for Peshawar and Bannu, in North-West Frontier Province, and for North Waziristan.

Fighter jets and helicopters have bombed Taliban positions for months in a long preparation for the military drive. The government decided to order the start of the offensive on Friday after a series of attacks throughout the country which have cost over 160 lives.

"Since June 2009 they’ve been softening up the ground by choking key supply routes and bombing targets," says Islamabad correspondent Omar Waraich. "That process has intensified over the last two weeks and now the pressure has built up on the government and on the army in the light of the horrific terrorist attacks of the last 11 days across Pakistan."

Eventually up to 60,000 soldiers, paramilitaries and police are expected to be deployed against the Tehreek-e-Taliban movement (TTP) but 28,000 are currently taking part in the offensive. Estimates for the number of TTP fighters range from 10,000 to 25,000.

"Counter-insurgency experts say they would like to see a ratio of ten troops to one militant," Waraich told RFI. "That isn’t available to the Pakistanis yet, partly because they have permanently committed a large number of troops to the eastern border with India."

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Military casualties caused by bombs have already been reported from the region. One security official is reported to have been killed and two injured in Kalkola, near Jandola. A roadside bomb killed two soldiers and wounded another four when it hit a military convoy near the main military base in North Waziristan.

In Mohmand region, nine rebels are reported to have been killed when they attacked an army post. One security forces member died,  officials say.