28 die in latest northwest Pakistan offensive

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-27 14:27

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan's security forces pounded militant positions near strategic areas in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan, killing 25 suspected insurgents in a new round of a military offensive that also left three soldiers dead.

Pakistani tribesmen from local tribal forces guard an army convoy in Raghagan September 26, 2008. [Agencies]

Security forces on Friday cleared militant compounds near Bajur's Rashakai and Loi Sam areas, army spokesman Maj. Murad Khan said late Friday, confirming the death toll. He said two of the three soldiers killed were officers.

The weekslong military operation in the Bajur tribal region has already killed more than 1,000 militants and some 66 soldiers, and officials say it could be another two months before the militant stronghold is under government control.

The US has praised Pakistan for its efforts to flush out the militants from Bajur, which is part of Pakistan's semiautonomous tribal belt and a possible hide-out of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

American officials say the tribal regions have turned into sanctuaries for al-Qaida and Taliban fighters involved in attacks on US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. The Bajur offensive has helped reduce violence on the Afghan side, US officials said.

Military officials say the insurgents had a stranglehold on the region prior to the offensive, and were waging a sophisticated fight.

Pakistan's top military spokesman, Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, told The Associated Press in a recent interview that the militants had established a virtual mini-state in Bajur, controlling the main road leading into the tribal area, converting schools into Islamic courts and imposing taxes on timber and marble, the region's two main industries.

On Friday, Maj. Gen. Tariq Khan showed reporters on an army-organized visit to Bajur photos of militant tunnel systems and trenches.

"My timeframe for Bajur is anything from between one-and-a-half to two months to bring about stability," said Khan of the paramilitary Frontier Corps.

Pakistan has used ground forces backed by helicopter gunships and other air support in the offensive.