Frontier Post : 11 civilians perish in Swat Valley operation Shafiullah

11 civilians perish in Swat Valley operation Shafiullah

November 30, 2007

MINGORA: Eleven civilian including eight from a family were killed while ten seriously injured during army bombardment on Alabad, Swat on Thursday morning.

Maulana Fazlullah's brother namely Fazl-e-Ahad arrested by the security forces along with another commander named Azadwali when they were crossing Landaki checkpost.

Those who killed in Alabad were Hameed Ullah, Pir Mohammad, Khalid Khan, Sajad Ali, Umer Khan, Nekzada and Ibrahim Shah while the names of the two could not be reported.

Meanwhile, local residents arranged a protest rally against the killing of innocent civilian due to bombardment while carrying the dead bodies of those civilians.

Sources informed this scribe that more than twenty five suspected persons were arrested by troops in Mingora, Charbagh, Kabal, Khwazakhela and Bandai.

On the other hand, locals arranged peace rallies in Malamjaba, Taal and Kalam and demanded for the establishing peace in the area.

According to the official sources curfew would be relaxed from 07:00 AM to 04:00 PM on Friday (today) in Swat.

Government handout issued on Thursday stated that in ongoing operation of security forces in Swat, security forces have further strengthened their positions and are now in complete hold of the area with strength.

All access and exit routes to upper Swat are in control of security forces.

Last night, militant’s locations in areas west of Charbagh, North East of Manglwar, South of Siagram and West of Totano Bandai were extensively engaged with artillery fire.

Throughout the day, peace jirgas from various areas of upper Swat had been holding talks with civil administration and security forces personnel for restoring true peace in their respective areas.

With active support of locals, Fazal Ahad, brother of Fazlulah was apprehended by Fronteir Corps personnel at Ghaligai check post.

In another incident, 19 other suspects were apprehended at Fizaghat check post.

Continued successful operations of security forces have destroyed militant’s strong locations and they are in the state of despair and reportedly have fled the area.

Brave and peace loving people of Swat are supportive of the government’s action to restore long lasting peace in the valley.

People are once again requested to remain calm, determined and identify these militants hidden in civil population in order to root out extremism from the area.

NNI adds: The security forces, fighting militants in the country’s mountainous region of Swat, arrested brother of the leader of militant Maulana Fazalullah on Thursday, the military spokesman said.

Fazal Ahad was arrested with some other colleagues at a check post on Chakdara-Mingora road, army spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said.