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19/03/2004
Pakistani troops engage al-Qaeda
Thousands of Pakistani troops are currently engaged in a fierce battle with several hundred al-Qaeda fighters and local tribesmen at the country’s border with Afghanistan.
According to news agency reports today Pakistani troops have met with tough opposition around the town of Wana in the South Waziristan area since the operation was commenced on Tuesday, but claim to be advancing steadily, reporting the start of house-to-house searches on the outskirts of the village of Shin Warsak.
Recent reports confirm that 15 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the battle, which, according to local residents, has involved artillery, helicopters and ground troops.
Though resistance was weakening, Pakistani commanders fear this could be a feint designed to lure troops into an ambush and are proceeding with caution.
Rumours persist that Ayman al-Zawahri, an Egyptian doctor thought to be Osama bin-Laden’s right hand man and the ‘brains behind al-Qaeda’ is among the besieged militants. Zawahri is on the US "Most Wanted" list and suspected of involvement in the 1998 US Embassy bombings in Africa.
While Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf wouldn’t confirm Zawahri’s presence, he said a “high value target” was believed to be among the militants.
It is understood that US Special Forces may also be involved from the nearby Afghan side of the border.
(GB)
According to news agency reports today Pakistani troops have met with tough opposition around the town of Wana in the South Waziristan area since the operation was commenced on Tuesday, but claim to be advancing steadily, reporting the start of house-to-house searches on the outskirts of the village of Shin Warsak.
Recent reports confirm that 15 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the battle, which, according to local residents, has involved artillery, helicopters and ground troops.
Though resistance was weakening, Pakistani commanders fear this could be a feint designed to lure troops into an ambush and are proceeding with caution.
Rumours persist that Ayman al-Zawahri, an Egyptian doctor thought to be Osama bin-Laden’s right hand man and the ‘brains behind al-Qaeda’ is among the besieged militants. Zawahri is on the US "Most Wanted" list and suspected of involvement in the 1998 US Embassy bombings in Africa.
While Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf wouldn’t confirm Zawahri’s presence, he said a “high value target” was believed to be among the militants.
It is understood that US Special Forces may also be involved from the nearby Afghan side of the border.
(GB)
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