Army trades fire with militants in Wana

PESHAWAR: Vice Chief of Army Staff General Muhammad Yousaf on Wednesday visited Shakai a day after the military claimed it had flushed out foreign militants from the area.

Military spokesman Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan told Daily Times Gen Yousaf’s visit to Wana, Shakai and Lawara Mandi marked the beginning of a new era. Gen Yousaf is the highest-ranking official ever to visit the area.

Gen Sultan said the vice chief of army staff also visited Lawara Mandi, where US and Afghan troops have repeatedly intruded into Pakistani territory in pursuit of fleeing Al Qaeda remnants.

Meanwhile, the army continued its hunt for terrorists in the Sarghaslay area located between south and north Waziristan. Militants targeted military installations but no loss of life was reported on either side. “The area is close to Shawal where both foreigners and their local supporters are believed to be hiding. Gunship helicopters provided cover to an army convoy that was on its way to Sarghaslay,” said a Wana-based tribal journalist.

Tribal sources said security forces and terrorists exchanged fire in Shakai late on Tuesday. Security forces used artillery against the terrorists, they said. Unidentified militants fired rockets at the Zalai Fort, 25 kilometres from Wana, but no casualties were reported. Gunship helicopters patrolled Wana and Shakai throughout the day. staff report

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