The Hindu : 10 Pak. securitymen killed in clash with Al-Qaeda

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 27, 2002

International

International

10 Pak. securitymen killed in clash with Al-Qaeda

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD JUNE 26. In a clear sign that the ``war against terrorism'' launched by the U.S.-led coalition in October last is spreading to Pakistan, at least 10 personnel of the Pakistani security forces were killed today, as they combed the sensitive tribal areas bordering Afghanistan in search of activists of the Al-Qaeda and the displaced Taliban.

The serious nature of the incidents could be gauged from the fact that the Inter-Services Public Services, which coordinates the press and publicity of the Pakistani forces, deemed it necessary to put out a press statement on the casualties suffered by them in the operations.

``The Pakistani security forces carried out a search operation in the tribal area of WANA, where a group of Al-Qaeda operatives were located in some houses.

In an effort to apprehend the Al-Qaeda elements using minimum force, 10 security personnel embraced shahadat.

A number of Al-Qaeda foreign terrorists were also killed.'' Pakistan has apprehended over 200 or so Al-Qaeda and Taliban activists in recent weeks and handed them over to the U.S.

It is for the first time that the Musharraf Government has conceded in so many words the infiltration of the Al-Qaeda activists into Pakistan. "The ongoing efforts to apprehend criminals and terrorists responsible for acts of violence are continuing with increased vigour,'' the statement said.

The nature of challenge posed by the reported presence of the Al-Qaeda and Taliban remnants in the tribal areas is evident from the fact that for the first time, the Government has sent military and paramilitary forces to the terrain.

There have been speculative reports in the media that search and seize operations are being jointly undertaken by the Pakistani and the American forces.

However, the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, has claimed that only about a dozen U.S. communication experts were present in the area to assist the Pakistani security forces.

The local media has also carried reports of demonstrations by tribals in the areas bordering Afghanistan against the presence of men in uniform.

If the reports are to be believed, Islamabad has cautioned the U.S. against any hasty action in these areas.

Reports suggest that while the Bush administration is pressuring Pakistan to step up its offensive to hunt down the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban activists, the Musharraf regime favours a cautious approach.

Before moving the security forces into the tribal belt, the managers of Gen. Musharraf had sought the cooperation of the tribal chiefs.

Lt. Gen. Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai, Corp Commander, Pakistan Army, personally went to the Waziristan agency last week and addressed a group of elders.

"Such cooperation from tribal areas marks a historic first for Pakistan. Never before has the Army penetrated these remote stretches ruled by tribal custom,'' he told the elders.

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