Pakistan army closes on Uzbek base

Dawn:

Security forces have surrounded Kaniguram, an important base of Uzbek militants in South Waziristan, from three directions and preparing to storm the town.

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and Armed Forces Spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas told newsmen on Wednesday that important fronts around the town had been secured.

Gen Abbas said security forces had also achieved substantial successes on two other fronts. He said good progress had been made on the Jandola-Saroragha axis and important heights had been secured in Nawazkot area on the Razmak-Makeen axis.

On the Jandola-Sararogha front, he said, troops were making good progress and securing heights along the main Kotkai-Sararogha road, overlooking the town of Sararogha. Troops secured the important the Nullah road junction, 2km north
of Ganrakas and the important point 1233 west of the Kotkai-Sararogha road. Besides, Inzar Kalay has been cleared.

Three training complexes have been destroyed in Murghabund and 25 centres and nine caves Kotkai.

On the Shakai-Kaniguram axis, the military spokesman said, the important front of Karwan Manza about 2km east of Kaniguram had been secured. It dominates Kaniguram from the east and overlooks the town of Karama towards southeast on the Kaniguram-Kotkai road.

Karama is a stronghold and training centre of foreign terrorists.

On the Razmak-Makeen axis, security forces are consolidating their positions at Shaga, point 6813 Tip-Ghar Top, Lagar Narai and Sharakai Sar and carrying out a search operation in Nawazkot area. During clearance operations, 15 bunkers and Sanghars have been destroyed, along with 37 rockets.

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There is more.

If this report is accurate the army appears to be achieving its objectives and destroying Taliban infrastructure and training facilities. This will hurt the Taliban's operational ability if they try to reoccupy the area. Many of the leaders have fled north into Northern Waziristan. That will make that area a future target for assault by the army.

The current operation appears to be well planned and has adequate support. It also appears to be the beneficiary of logistic and technical support from the US forces in the area. The NY Times reports that the US has quietly "rushed hundreds of millions of dollars in arms, equipment and sophisticated sensors to Pakistani forces in recent months." If that is true it has been a good deal for the US and Pakistan against a common enemy.