Pakistan forces seize drone, weapons in anti-militants operation: Commander
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Peshawar, Pakistan, Sept 13, IRNA
Pakistan-operation
A top Pakistani general said on Tuesday that the security forces have seized a pilot less spy plane, missiles and heavy weapons during operation again militants in its Waziristan tribal area, which he described the biggest ever operation in the region.
Lt Gen Safdar Hussain, who commands Pakistani forces in North Waziristan, was speaking at a press conference here that the militants used the Chinese-made drone to spy on security forces in the mountainous area, where Pakistani troops are engaged in operation against Islamic militants.
"The terrorists used the Remotely-Piloted Vehicle to check the position of security forces and attack them," Hussain said.
He claimed that the drone was capable of carrying weapons.
Another senior army officer told reporters that the drone had a modern, wide-angle camera to take photographs of army positions on the ground.
He said that some 21 suspects, including some prominent figures, have also been arrested during the fresh operation, started on September 10.
The suspects were arrested on Monday' when a raid on a compound and a religious seminary was conducted near Miranshah, center of North Waziristan tribal zone.
The religious school is being run by a former Taliban minister, Jalauddin Haqqani, he said.
He said the seminary was a stronghold for Al-Qaeda and Taliban operations.
The commander said that weapons were recovered which include rockets, bombs, detonators, communications equipment.
He said the communication equipment were being used to exchange messages with militants in Afghanistan.
He said that Abdullah Mehsud, wanted for abduction of two Chinese engineers, had opened recruitment of terrorists in the tribal region.
He said the militants are receiving money from their comrades in Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan will deploy five thousand more troops along the Afghan border to further tight security.
Pakistan has already deployed about 70,000 troops to the Afghan border region in its operation against militants.
The commander described the operation as the biggest-ever operation, which is still continuing in North Waziristan.
He said that some detained persons are important but he did not disclose their identity. He added that a government soldier was also arrested or helping the militants.
He said two members of the National Assembly from the region and belong to alliance of Islamic groups have indirect links with the militants.
He said that more than 3,500 troops, backed by gunship helicopter took part in the operation during the last four days.
The army has said in the past that hundreds of militants, including Arabs, Afghans and Central Asians, have been based in the area.
2020/235/1430/1412
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
