Pakistan captures last major Taliban controlled town

Independent:

Pakistani troops pushing deeper into South Waziristan yesterday razed the house of the militant leader Baitullah Mehsud, killed by a US drone strike this summer, as they assaulted the last of three Taliban strongholds.

Troops struck the village of Makeen, a major militant base and home town of the former Taliban leader. Officials said his house was destroyed in symbolic revenge for the hundreds of people killed by the Taliban. The soldiers are said to have met little resistance.

In the capital Islamabad, an army brigadier was leaving his home when gunmen on a motorcycle shot and wounded him, then sped away, the third such attack on senior army officers in two weeks. A soldier with the brigadier was also wounded; both were in civilian clothes. Hospital officials said the condition of both victims was stable. It is unknown whether the senior officer was involved in the South Waziristan operation.

The Pakistani authorities are keen to portray that operation, launched three weeks ago to target Taliban and al-Qa'ida fighters, as one that is steadily gathering momentum and has the militants on the run. Earlier this week intelligence officials shared with journalists what they said was an intercepted speech by the Pakistani Taliban leader, Hakimullah Mehsud, who warned his fighters that they will go to hell if they flee the army offensive.

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Dawn reports that:

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A security official told Dawn that the success achieved so far had brought troops closer to completion of the first phase of the operation.

He said the link-up of forces in Laddah and Makin would be followed by a major search and clearance operation.

He said a large part of Makin town had been cleared, adding that an important road and junctions of Makin-Laddah-Sararogha and Makin-Ghariom-Sararogha had been blocked.

He also said that fierce clashes had taken place and the Taliban were fleeing, leaving behind weapons and ammunition.

According to ISPR, 24 terrorists were killed and one was captured on Thursday and Friday.

Security forces are consolidating and strengthening their positions around Sararogha and the Shakai– Kaniguram axis around Laddah.

In Bangai Khel, Totai Langar Khel and Kot Langar Khel, large quantities of arms and ammunition were seized and a suspect taken into custody.

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A force that is fleeing without its weapons it one that is serious retreat. The Pakistan army has a real opportunity to gather intelligence about the Taliban that can leader to further gains against them. They are also in a position to weaken the Taliban logistic effort and deny them weapons.

The main reason this operation has been more successful from previous ones is that they finally put an adequate force in the field to deal with the enemy. When you are fighting an insurgency you need to have enough troops to cut off the enemy's movement to contact and retreat.

It is a lesson I hope Obama learns.