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12 Al-Qaeda suspects, 1 Pak soldier killed in clashes

IRNA

Islamabad, Oct 2, IRNA -- At least 12 al-Qaeda suspects were killed 
and 10 others arrested when Pakistan`s army launched a large-scale 
operation Thursday against al-Qaeda militants in a rugged tribal 
region bordering Afghanistan, in which one army soldier was killed 
and two wounded. 
IRNA reporter visiting the area along with a group of foreign 
journalists was shown four bodies said to be Al-Qaeda members. 
Operation`s commander Maj. Gen. Ameer Faisal said that eight 
others were lying in an area about 100 meters away that was too 
dangerous to enter. 
Ten suspects, blindfolded and with their hands tied behind 
their backs, were taken away from the area. 
"Our forces have launched the operation early Thursday after 
receiving information that several al-Qaeda men are hiding there," 
spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan said. 
Journalists say those killed and arrested appeared to be 
foreigners. 
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 and US authorities allege that al-Qaeda and Taliban 
fighters have received a safe haven in Pakistan, and usually cross 
the porous border to carry out attacks. 
"We believe that some al-Qaeda men have taken shelter in South 
Waziristan tribal belt after carrying out attacks in Afghanistan`s 
Paktika province," General Shaukat Sultan said. 
He said Pakistani forces have been tracking the suspects and 
have launched the operation after confirmation of their presence. 
Islamic groups are accusing the government of permitting US 
forces, stationed in Pakistan, to hunt down suspects on Pakistani 
soil. 
Asked about the reaction of the local population, the spokesman 
said that the local tribesmen have been taken confidence. 
"The tribesmen have told us that they will not give shelter to 
any al-Qaeda suspect," he told the Geo TV. 
In response to a question, the spokesman told IRNA that all the 
militants killed or arrested in the Thursday operation appeared to 
have foreign nationalities. 
/TK/TSH/213 
End