Islamabad: It looks that Pakistan Army is fighting a decisive battle in Tirah Valley against Taliban by using all of its important resources including Special Service Groups (SSG), air cover and heavy to light weapons. Battle is stiff and Taliban are not leaving the place although around 110 militants have been killed in this military operation.
“The Army seized control of strategic posts from the militants and ground troops have established their positions,” He said 23 Pakistani troops have been killed and another 13 injured fighting the joint forces of the Lashkar-e-Islam militia and the Pakistani Taliban in Tirah valley. Militants are using wireless sets, satellite telephones and radio signals for communication and using heavy weapons against Pakistan Army. This Valley is a hub of militant activities since 2003 but Army action was never taken as option because Afridi, Orakzai and Shinwari tribes of Pashtuns are considered powerful in Pakistani establishment and they always stopped governments to take any action in their area and promised that Valley will not become a pin in the neck of Pakistan army. However things were otherwise and Taliban had been consolidating in this unchecked rugged Valley.
Taliban occupied the valley last month that is very close and having borders with Swat valley where Taliban ruled for almost one and half year and then Pakistan Army took a operation clean up.
According to U.N. estimates, some 40,000 residents left the valley in last one and half month and taking refuge in the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR), the official mouthpiece of Pakistan Army indicates that the battle is not expected to end immediately and army is consolidating its positions and has established its position on ground, and is advancing gradually with additional support from gunship jets and helicopters.
Tirah Valley is located in Kurram and Khyber agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan (33.73N 71.01E), while its smaller part straddles the border to the north lying in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. Tirah lies between the Khyber Pass and the Khanki Valley. It is inhabited by the Afridi, Orakzai and Shinwari tribes of Pashtuns.
