Pakistani army, militants clash in tribal region
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, July 11, IRNA -- Pakistani troops and `foreign` militants clashed in the country`s tribal region on Sunday but there was no report of any casualty, a military spokesman said. However, Spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan said no fresh operation has been launched and said the military responded after the suspected al-Qaeda militants attacked the troops with rockets and mortars. The spokesman told Pakistan television that the action against the foreign elements has not ceased and it will continue till the objectives are achieved. Sultan said that steps are being taken so that foreigners get themselves registered peacefully. He said that all options, including the military and political, will be used for the arrest of the most wanted people. Authorities say hundreds of foreign suspects are hiding in South Waziristan tribal region, close to border with Afghanistan. They include Arabs, Central Asians and Afghans. The general said Pakistani troops came under attack on Sunday morning close to Shakai, a village near Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan. Some 100 suspects and Pakistani soldiers were killed in fierce battle last month when Pakistani troops bombed hideouts in Shakai. The militants are refusing to accept a government offer to register themselves for amnesty. The authorities say they will be allowed to stay to live peacefully after they surrendered. Local correspondents say the army and militants also exchanged fire on Saturday. They said the troops fired artillery on Sunday from a military base. The government has won the support of Islamic groups for the registration of foreign militants in Waziristan. The alliance of six Islamic groups, the Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, has endorsed the government`s registration policy but says the government should resolve the problem through talks. AHM-TK/TSH/2322/1432
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