Pak flag hoisted in militants' stronghold in Bajaur

PESHAWAR: Security forces have cleared Damadola, a stronghold of terrorists in Bajaur Agency, which was being used as a base to carry out terrorist activities. The forces on Saturday hoisted the Pakistani flag in the area, ending a six-year occupation by the militants.

A Frontier Corps (FC) spokesman said here on Saturday that security forces faced no resistance upon entering the Damadola area and the local tribesmen warmly welcomed the troops at various points.

Since the start of this operation, 60 terrorists have been killed while seven soldiers embraced Shahadat, said the FC spokesman.

Our Khar correspondent adds: Sources said elders in Damadola raised a Lashkar and assured to fight alongside security forces against the militants.

The sources said the elders and members of the Lashkar accorded a warm welcome to security forces on the occasion. They chanted slogans in support of the government, security forces and Pakistan.

It may be added that Damadola, the erstwhile stronghold of militants, was attacked by US drones four times.

Official sources said security forces continued targeting suspected hideouts of militants with artillery and mortar guns in Damadola, Badalai, Sewai, Jani Shah and adjoining areas in Mamond Tehsil.

Seven more militants were killed and five others sustained injuries when security forces hit their hideouts in the Sewai area in Mamond subdivision, official sources said. They said several hideouts of militants were also destroyed in these areas.

The sources said security forces had started patrolling the area after strengthening their positions in Damadola, Dabar, Badan and adjoining areas.

News Desk adds: The Central Intelligence Agency drones fired missiles into the village of Damadola in the Bajaur tribal area on January 13, 2006, killing at least 18 people. Originally, the political administration of Bajaur claimed that four foreign members of al-Qaeda were among the dead.

US and Pakistani officials later admitted that no al-Qaeda leaders were killed in the strike and that only local villagers were killed. Damadola is about seven kilometres from the Afghan border. The attack was carried out by four Predator drones which launched four missiles at a mud-walled compound, destroying three houses.

The official number of dead was 18, including eight men, five women and five children, but other reports said that 25 people were killed. Fourteen of the dead were said to be from the same family. The attack targeted Ayman al-Zawahiri, who was thought to be in the village.

(Source: "Forces retake Damadola after six years Pak flag hoisted in militants' stronghold in Bajaur", Pak Tribune, 07 February 2010)