Troops take over Maalam Jabba



ISLAMABAD: The army claimed on Monday that security forces had captured Maalam Jabba, a stronghold of militants, after heavy clashes.

It said troops were facing ‘stiff resistance’ to wrest the control of Swat from the Taliban.

According to AFP, Military spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas warned it could take up to 10 days to regain control of Mingora, as the punishing assault across three rugged northwest districts entered a fifth week.

‘It may take seven to 10 days to clear Mingora of militants,’ he told AFP.

‘The operation may be a little slow to avoid civilian casualties, damage and destruction to property. There are also improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted in Mingora, and we have to clear these IEDs as well.’

According to the ISPR, Maalam Jabba, on the main line of communication between Swat and Mansehra, was being used by militants as a training centre and logistic base. Four militants were killed and six security personnel injured in the fighting. Eight terrorists were arrested.

The ISPR said that troops were now trying to secure Kabbal where militants had training facilities and terrorists fleeing Mingora were gathering there.

The areas of Aligrama, Guljaba, Fizaghat and a swathe up to Watakai have been secured.

Two militants were killed and six soldiers injured in clashes in these areas. An armoured personnel carrier (APC) and a large quantity of arms and ammunition were seized and several improvised explosive devices defused.

Troops resumed operation in Peochar valley on Monday. Two militants were killed and five captured.

‘Miscreants are on the run from the valley,’ the ISPR said.

Security forces took control of Qambar village and Qambar ridge and cleared six tunnels. An area up to Grid Station, Amankot and T-Junction in Saidu Khawar and Udigram were cleared of militants. Three militants were arrested.

The army distributed on Monday 50 tons of rations among 80,000 displaced people. It has so far provided 560 tons of foodstuff from its own quota.

Troops are assisting the civil administration in preparing sheds inside camps for IDPs.

Besides providing treatment in two field hospitals, the army set up a medical camp at the Benazir camp in Jehanded Society. Its lady doctors have so far treated 180 women in the camp.

Our Correspondent in Peshawar adds: A resident from Kalam told Dawn by phone that the government should provide cash and to the local people allow them to go to the neighbouring Bisham bazaar market to buy goods they need and medicines.
He said that shortage of fuel had added to the misery of the residents. About 90 per cent of the land in Kalam could not be cultivated this year because of fuel shortage and curfew, he added.

According to the last census, the population of Kalam is over 70,000.