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Summary
The operation in South Waziristan has begun and the shelling continues in various parts of the area, Dunya News Saturday reported. The security forces killed 37 terrorists in the last two days while landline and mobile phone services have been jammed in the area. Two officials were martyred in a landmine blast. The operation is being carried out in Mehsud area Makin, Nawa Kot and Saraghoi which are considered the hubs of Baitullah Mehsuds supporters. Foreign terrorists are also hiding in these areas. Gunship helicopters and artillery are also being used in the operation. Two officials were martyred and three injured when a landmine went off near Zahidullah check post. The vehicles also got damaged in the blast. The curfew has been enforces for an indefinite period in the area while so far 0.5 million people have migrated to other safe locations. Majority of the migrated people are staying in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank. Talking to Dunya News FATA Secretary said that the operation had been started against terrorists and would continue till the elimination of the terrorists. Earlier, a high-level meeting of the military and political leadership chaired by the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani decided to uproot the terrorism for once and all. Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the army had the full backing by the government to launch operation against the terrorists. Talking to Dunya News senior analyst Rustam Shah Mehmand said that operation in Waziristan would be completed soon and resistance wasnt likely there. He believed that most of the people would migrate from the area. If the government takes the tribal people onboard, the operation will become easier. Mehsud tribes border isnt attached to the Afghan Border so they cannot escape there, he opined. He believed that the government would have to realize that all the people of Waziristan were not involved in terrorism. Former Army Chief General (R) Aslam Baig hoped that military leadership had devised a very effective strategy and maintained the governments writ in Swat and adjoining areas. The number of terrorists is not huge so the strategy seems to be successful, he added. On the other hand, Brigadier (R) Mahmood Shah told Dunya News that this wasnt an appropriate time to conduct operation in South Waziristan. He maintained that terrorists were already dispersed in the area and the operation wouldnt be very successful.
