Militants blew away military vehicle in Pakistan

 By Shaheen Buneri

 

MINGORA: Unidentified militants have blown up a military vehicle in Amandara area of Malakand Agency in North West Pakistan. Officials say that eight army personnel have been seriously wounded in the blast.

 

Reports say that the government has started preparation for a major operation against the militants of firebrand cleric Maulana Fazlullah in the scenic valley of Swat. For the safe passage of thousands of military personnel the government also clamped curfew in Malakand Agency and District Swat and warned the people not to come out of their houses till 12'o clock in the noon.
 

"Despite the curfew and large scale arrangement for the safe passage of the army, the militants attack a military vehicle and it shows their strength', a government official said on condition of anonymity.
 

On the other hand a local jirga in district Shangla, another scenic valley in the neighborhood of Swat valley has demanded of the militants to vacate the government buildings in Alpuri town as their occupation might destabilize law and order situation in the valley.
 

Locals of Shangla opine that the government has completely failed in providing security to the people and the militants are occupying one place after another.
 

"Now we have no option but to convene Jirgas and convince the militants not to attack our areas. We are happy that local Taliban commander has honoured our demand and he has agreed to vacate the buildings and revert back to their headquarters in district Swat", Sardar Alam, a local elder and member of the peace jirga said.
 

Locals in Alpuri area have also confirmed the heavy deployment of Army in different areas of Shangla district and they expect a military action against the militants in the area.

 

In Swat valley heavy fighting is progress between the militants of hardliner cleric Maulana Fazlullah and Pakistan Army. Locals say that Army has been targeting militants check posts and hideouts in Kabal, Matta, and Kanju Airport areas.
 

Shoib Khan, a local journalist informs that a number of militants have been wounded in the fresh shelling; however he did not confirm their exact number.
 

It merits a mention here that Pakistan President General Parvez Musharraf in his previous press conference said that earlier the government of religious parties in NWFP created hurdles in taking a sweep action against the militants in Swat, but now the government would take every step to restore government writ in the area.
 

Immediately after his press conference the government started shifting military personnel and heavy weaponry to the conflict hit district of Swat and fresh operation started against the militants.
 

However Sirajuddin, spokesman of Militant leader Maulana Fazlullah and commander of 600 armed Taliban militia told the media that the militants would continue their Jihad for the implementation of a true Islamic judicial system in the region.