Pak Army Chief Kayani satisfied with tribal support in chasing out militants
29 Sep 2008, 1007 Hrs

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Rawalpindi, Sept 29 Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani has reportedly expressed satisfaction over the role of the local tribesmen in the Bajaur Agency in supporting his country's Army in its fight against Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters.

In several incidents over the past weeks, the tribesmen in the Bajaur Agency have dragged the militants belonging to the Pakistan unit of the Taliban - the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) out of their areas. At times, the tribesmen also used weapons in chasing the terrorists away.

They said that they chased away the militants in a bid to avoid attacks by US-led NATO forces which, in the past, killed some innocent tribesmen including women and children.

The tribesmen declared that they would fight back any outsider in their territory, be it the US troops or the Taliban or Al Qaeda.

According to the Daily Times, a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the COAS Kayani remained with the troops in Bajaur for a considerable period of time.

Meanwhile, Pakistan security forces killed at least 16 Taliban after coming under attack in Bajaur Agency. Taliban attacked three military posts near Khar on Saturday night, but soldiers repulsed them with artillery and mortar fire, an official said.

Early on Sunday, Pakistan helicopter gunships and fighter jets bombed Taliban positions in three villages in the district, added the official. (ANI)