Pak forces received intelligence input regarding ‘high value targets’ in Mohmand
By ANISunday, March 7, 2010
PESHAWAR - The attack on militant hideouts in the Mohmand Agency of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on Friday, in which 30 militants, including top militant commanders were reportedly killed, was carried out following an intelligence input received by Pakistani security forces regarding the presence of some ‘high value targets’ in the region.
“Security forces received a tip-off about the presence of high-value targets at the site. We used an attack helicopter to completely destroy the fortified hideout,” The Daily Times quoted officials, who refused to be named, as saying.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) deputy chief Maulvi Faqir Muhammad , and Afghan Taliban commanders Qari Ziaur Rehman and Fateh Mohammad were reportedly killed in raid carried out by helicopter gunships. However, there has been no official confirmation of the militant commander’s death.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik also failed to confirm the reports.
“What I can confirm is the killing of Swat Taliban commander Fateh, whose real name is Umer Rehman. His dead body has been found. I can say that it will be a miracle if Faqir and Rehman managed to escape the attack,” Malik told reporters at the headquarters of the Frontier Corps.
It is believed that the death of the Taliban leaders, if confirmed, would serve a great blow to the banned extremist organisation.
Sources said that Maulana Faqir and the two other ‘commanders’ were seen in Mohmand on Wednesday.
Faqir had reportedly moved to Mohmand after his main base in Damadola was captured by Pakistani troops last week. (ANI)
