Pakistani forces launch major operation
IRNA
Islamabad, Oct 2 IRNA -- Pakistani military have launched a major operation in its tribal areas bordering Afghanistan to arrest suspected militants, a military spokesman said. "Our forces have launched the operation early Thursday after receiving information that several al-Qaeda men are hiding there," spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan told Geo TV. There is no report about any arrest so far and the spokesman evaded question when asked if someone has been arrested. Pakistan has deployed some 60,000 troops along its long and porous border with Afghanistan to check the movement of Taliban and suspected al-Qaeda militants. Afghan authorities accuse Pakistan of not taking sufficient steps to block attacks inside Afghanistan from Pakistani territory. "We believe that some al-Qaeda men have taken shelter in South Waziristan tribal belt after carrying out attacks in Afghanistan`s Paktika province," the Pakistani spokesman said. He said Pakistani forces have been tracking the suspects and have launched the operation after confirmation of their presence. He said the operation is going on smoothly and the northwest government has been informed about it adding that no foreign troops are involved in the activity. Islamic groups are accusing the government of permitting US forces, stationed in Pakistan, to hunt down suspects on Pakistani soil. "The operation is part of our commitment to root out terrorism," Sultan said. Asked about the reaction of the local population, the spokesman said the local tribesmen have been taken confidence. The tribesmen have told us that they will not give shelter to any al-Qaeda suspect, he said. According to the spokesman, the al-Qaeda elements are creating nuisance for the locals as they are creating law and order problem. /TK/TSH/213 End
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