Pakistan Military Says Swat Valley Town Cleared of Militants
- 14 years ago
And a victory for Pakistan’s military. Forces say a former Taliban stronghold has now been reclaimed.
Charbagh, around nine miles from Swat's main town of Mingora, was considered to be a Taliban militant stronghold.
It was where many explosive experts and masterminds of terrorist activities had taken refuge.
[Colonel Ejaz Ahmed, Commanding Officer]: (Urdu, male)
"Charbagh was considered to be a very dangerous area. But now I can say with full confidence that it is a safe place. Peace has returned to the area."
90 militants - some with money on their heads - have been killed in the operation, and 300 arrested.
Ahmed says search and cordon operations are continuing and 182 houses that were considered to be hideouts have been demolished.
The offensive in Swat came after a Taliban advance early this year.
A string of attacks in cities had raised fears for nuclear-armed Pakistan 's stability and alarmed its ally the United States.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised Pakistan's offensive against its Taliban and assured it of U.S. support.
Charbagh, around nine miles from Swat's main town of Mingora, was considered to be a Taliban militant stronghold.
It was where many explosive experts and masterminds of terrorist activities had taken refuge.
[Colonel Ejaz Ahmed, Commanding Officer]: (Urdu, male)
"Charbagh was considered to be a very dangerous area. But now I can say with full confidence that it is a safe place. Peace has returned to the area."
90 militants - some with money on their heads - have been killed in the operation, and 300 arrested.
Ahmed says search and cordon operations are continuing and 182 houses that were considered to be hideouts have been demolished.
The offensive in Swat came after a Taliban advance early this year.
A string of attacks in cities had raised fears for nuclear-armed Pakistan 's stability and alarmed its ally the United States.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised Pakistan's offensive against its Taliban and assured it of U.S. support.