Drubbing al Qaeda, Taliban in Drub Lokai

Khaleej Times:

Pakistan’s army on Sunday raised the number of militants killed in a raid on a training camp a day earlier to more than 30, including Arabs, Uzbeks and local fighters who also took part in attacks inside Afghanistan.

Pakistani security forces backed by helicopter gunships struck the militant facility before dawn Saturday in the North Waziristan town of Drub Lokai, a tribal region near the Afghan border.

Twenty-two Arabs, three Uzbeks and seven local tribal militants linked with Al Qaeda and the Taleban were among those killed in the attack, a senior Pakistani security official said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the information.

Initial reports Saturday put the death toll at 15-20 militants.

“It was a highly successful operation,” said top Pakistan army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan.

North Waziristan has witnessed an increase in attacks by Al Qaeda and Taleban supporters against Pakistani forces. Osama bin Laden and other wanted terror fugitives are believed to be hiding in the rugged Pakistan-Afghan frontier region.

The security official said the slain militants had been involved in attacks in Afghanistan and had launched rocket attacks and roadside bombings against Pakistani troops in North Waziristan. The camp itself had a firing range.

Pakistani forces had been monitoring the militants’ activities for several days before launching Saturday’s strike as the fighters were preparing to leave in pickup trucks, the official said.

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There is more and more is needed from Pakistan in cleaning up the al Qaeda sanctuaries. As an added bonus, Pakistan finally get real control of the tribal areas.