Pak Army launches operation against Taliban in Buner, Swat

Buner, Swat valley: The Pakistani security forces have launched a major operation against the Taliban insurgents in Buner district of Swat valley, in North Western Pakistan.

The troops of Frontier Core and Pakistan army are taking part in the offensive against the Taliban insurgents and they are being supported by gunship helicopters and jet fighters, according to media reports.

The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Athar Abbas, was speaking to the media here today.

He confirmed the reports of the operation in Buner and told it was started at 4:00 PM PST today.

The Taliban moved to Buner on the 3^rd of this month and took the control of the area and after the warnings from the government they did not withdraw; as a result Pakistan army launched the operation, on the request of the provincial government of north western Pakistan.

Moreover, the operation against the Taliban insurgents in lower Dir came to an end successfully and the army has cleared the areas now, he said.

Some 75 militants were killed and 10 troops from Pakistan army were martyred in the operation, he added.

There are the reports of the presence of some 400 Taliban militants in Buner and Pakistan army is fully capable of coping with them, he said.

There is evidence of Taliban getting funds, arms, and communication apparatus from Afghanistan, according to media reports.