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Monday, November 2, 2009

250,000 flee army offensive on the Afghan border


Up to 250,000 people have fled a tribal region on the Afghan border where the Pakistani army is in the third week of a major offensive against the Taliban. Up to 250,000 people have fled a tribal region on the Afghan border where the Pakistani army is in the third week of a major offensive against the Taliban, an official said Sunday. The figure is higher than the 200,000 which the army reported had fled the conflict zone in South Waziristan last week. Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmad, chief of the government's Special Support Group, told reporters that between 244,000 and 250,000 people have migrated to the northwestern towns of Dera Ismail Khan and Tank, where they are staying with relatives, friends, host families or in rented houses. South Waziristan is closed to reporters and aid workers. A US-based rights group on Thursday urged Pakistan to ensure that sufficient supplies reach civilians trapped by the offensive, and warned of "catastrophe" without aid access. Ahmad told AFP the army has allocated 405 tons of rations for the one or two percent of the population who stayed behind to look after their property. Normally about 300,000 people live in the northern part of South Waziristan which the military seeks to clear of "terrorists". The district is part of the lawless tribal belt where US officials say Al-Qaeda and their allies are plotting attacks on the West. Around 30,000 troops are taking part in the offensive against an estimated 10,000-12,000 militants in the semi-autonomous region.

Islamabad announces reward for Taliban leaders 'dead or alive'


Pakistani authorities have promised rewards worth five million dollars for information leading to the capture of a number of senior Taliban officials. Pakistan on Monday offered rewards worth five million dollars for information leading to the capture, dead or alive, of Tehreek-e-Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud and 18 other lieutenants. The rewards were offered in a black and white government advertisement on the front page of The News daily and flashed on Pakistani television channels overnight. "Anyone who captures these people dead or alive or provides concrete information, the government will award them a cash reward," it said. "The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) terrorists are daily involved in deadly activities and because of their activities innocent Muslims are going to the valley of death," it added. The largest rewards, of 50 million Pakistan rupees (600,240 dollars), were offered for TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud, senior leader Wali ur-Rehman Mehsud and Qari Hussain Mehsud, once described as a master trainer of suicide bombers. Eleven other commanders had rewards of 20 million rupees and rewards of 10 million rupees were on offer for five others.

Blast in Sadar area jolts Rawalpindi, 22 killed 40 injured



A massive blast occurred in Sadar area of Rawalpindi on The Mall killing at least 22 people and injuring 40 others. The blast sound was very loud and heard till far in the surrounding areas. The injured are being shifted to hospitals. Sadar area is one of the busiest areas in Rawalpindi. That blast occurred in quite sensitive area. That blast occurred in the joint parking of a bank and hotel. National Bank and PC Hotel are quite near to the spot where VVIPs stay. This area is quite sensitive and is quite near to the GHQ. Dozens of people were present on the spot when blast occurred and the inured are being shifted to the nearby hospitals. Most of the injured are being shifted to GHQ and CMH hospitals. Nature of the blast is yet to be confirmed. Entire area has been sealed after the blast and all the roads leading to the spot have also been blocked. Emergency has been announced in the city hospitals after the blast. All the education institutes have been closed in Rawalpindi after the blast.