Military

Anti-Al Qaeda tribal operation to continue: Pak Military Spokesman

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 22, IRNA - Pakistan said on Monday the operation in 
tribal area is going on and will continue till all the terrorists and 
those giving them refuge surrender voluntarily, apprehended or 
evicted. 
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Major General 
Shaukat Sultan speaking at a joint news briefing with Foreign Office 
Spokesman Masood Khan in Islamabad said the Jirga which had gone 
inside the coroned area to meet the people is still holding talks. 
"The outcome of the meeting will be known once the Jirga is 
back". He said there is no ceasefire and no halt in operation in 
Wana. 
"Six dead bodies of the miscrescents were brought to 
Rawalpindi for DNA tests yesterday. The tests will be carried out to 
know their nationality and identity." 
About "high value target", he said the Pakistani president had 
stated that because of the kind of resistance the troops were facing, 
there was a possibility that there may be a "high value target". He 
said they cannot say who the high value target could be. 
Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said what is happening in Wana is 
nothing new and shows the governments resolve to root out extremism 
from the society. 
He said some elements supporting the terrorists have their own 
vested interests. 
Asked about intelligence gathering in the Wana area, he said the 
operation of the 16th of March was aimed at probing the area. "The 
Forinter Corp were surprised by the resistance they met and under 
estimated the strength of the miscreants." 
To another question about reports of movements of troops in North 
Waziristan Agency, the spokesman said it was part of the protective 
measures, adding that certain measures have to taken in other areas as
well when the operation is going on in a particular location. 
About the visit of US CENTCOM Commander General John Abizaid to 
Pakistan, he said it is a "normal" visit and has no linkage to the 
ongoing operation in WANA. 
As to the incident on the night between 19th and 20th March when 
a US helicopter violated Pakistan airspace, he said once it was 
pointed out that the helicopter crossed the border, it went back. 
According to the general, a protest in this regard has already 
been launched. 
TK/TSH/214 
End