UPDATED ON:
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
12:18 Mecca time, 09:18 GMT
 
News CENTRAL/S. ASIA
'Scores killed' in Pakistan raids
Pakistan's government has come under pressure to tighten security in Bajaur [AFP]

At least 50 al-Qaeda and Taliban-linked fighters and one solider have been killed in fighting in northwest Pakistan, a military spokesman has said.

The clashes broke out on Monday in the region of Dara Adam Khel, Major Murad Khan  said on Tuesday.

"Since yesterday, security forces have been carrying out search and cordon operations," he said.

"Artillery and helicopter gunships are engaging miscreants' hideouts. More than 50 miscreants have been killed and one soldier was also martyred."

News of the deaths comes days after a massive truck bomb attack on the Marriott Hotel in the Pakistani capital Islamabad left at least 53 people dead.

Analysts have said that the attack on the five-star hotel, which is popular with foreign tourists and diplomats, could have been carried out in response to recent military operations in Bajaur, a northwestern region which borders Afghanistan.

Al-Qaeda connection

Pakistani officials have said that the attack on the Marriott Hotel was carried out by an al-Qaeda cell based in Islamabad.

At least 800 people, mostly opposition fighters, have been killed so far during the campaign in Bajaur.

Islamabad has come under increasing pressure to combat fighters linked to al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan's tribal regions.

The fighters, who have carried out a string of suicide bombings in the country, are also accused of attacking US and Nato forces in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Washington has said that violence in Afghanistan appears to have reduced since the Pakistani military operation in Bajaur began.
 
But a string of US cross-border operations in Pakistan tribal regions against Taliban and al-Qaeda linked fighters have been called a threat to the country's sovereignty by Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan's president.

Zardari is expected to discuss the cross-border attacks with George Bush on Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

BA cancellations

Meanwhile, in a development believed to be related to the Marriott Hotel bombing, British Airways said on Tuesday that it had "indefinitely" cancelled all flights to the Pakistani capital.

BA issued a statement confirming the cancellation of its six weekly services to Islamabad, the only destination it flies to in Pakistan, a day after saying that it was only temporarily suspending flights.

"In light of the security situation in Pakistan, British Airways has cancelled its flights from Islamabad to Heathrow indefinitely," the statement said.

 Source: Agencies
Feedback Number of comments : 2
 
Rustam Khan
Canada
29/09/2008
Majority are innocent civilians...
Whose war is this? This is a common talking point in every household, offices and gatherings in Pakistan. All Pakistanis feel that this is American plan to weaken muslim countries and destroy peace in these nations. Clearly, USA and NATO has failed in Afghanistan, and now they are forcing Pakistani army to kill their own country men. There is deep resentment in Pakistani army and are not willing to continue this war on behalf of Americans.

Fernando Escarcega
Mexico
15/02/2009
Pakistan Raids
I don't understand why people from the middle east complain only when taliban or terrorists are killed. When innocent people is killed by Taliban or other terrorists nobody complains. Can someone explain me this? I'm not for US or for Taliban or for others. I just don't understand things.

 
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