Thousands of Pakistani army soldiers, supported by helicopter gunships, have attacked Al-Qaeda hideouts in the tribal region of South Waziristan near the Afghan border for the third consecutive day. During the three days of fighting in South Waziristan, 35 militants and 15 soldiers have been killed. Pakistani officials state that in today's operation, army helicopters first bombarded the Al-Qaeda operatives' shelters with artillery fire, then army forces disembarked from the helicopters and began ground operations to capture the militants. No details have been released regarding casualties from today's airstrikes. The Pakistani army had announced its readiness to grant amnesty to militants last April, but army commanders now say that foreign elements took advantage of this offer and fired on army positions in South Waziristan last Wednesday, thus initiating the latest round of conflict between the two sides. Earlier this month, local officials implemented economic sanctions against South Waziristan, but this measure proved ineffective. Meanwhile, as the new round of fighting begins, and following threats from militant groups regarding hijacking, strict security measures have been implemented at the international airports in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
Pakistani Army Attacks Al-Qaeda Hideouts for the Third Consecutive Day - 2004-06-11
The Pakistani army has launched a sustained offensive against Al-Qaeda hideouts in South Waziristan, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. This escalation follows recent attacks on army positions and ineffective economic sanctions in the region. The situation has raised security concerns, prompting heightened measures at major airports.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The Pakistani Army has launched a three-day offensive against Al-Qaeda hideouts in South Waziristan, resulting in casualties on both sides. This escalation follows recent attacks on army positions and ineffective economic sanctions in the region.
- 35 militants and 15 soldiers have been killed during the fighting.
- The offensive was initiated after foreign militants attacked army positions.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
South Waziristan has long been a stronghold for various militant groups, including Al-Qaeda, making military operations there critical for regional security.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%