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Pakistani Town Beats Back Taliban

Locals raid militant invaders as army gains in Swat

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted May 22, 2009 7:35 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Armed residents of a town in the troubled Swat Valley fought off Taliban forces yesterday,  the latest sign that locals are helping the Pakistan army beat back militants, reports the Wall Street Journal. Several Taliban fighters were captured when hundreds of residents stormed out of the mountain town of Kalam, which has already been attacked several times. "We will not allow Taliban to come here," said the town's deputy mayor.

This week, Pakistani forces dealt the Taliban a major setback when they retook the town of Matta, one of the insurgents' primary holdouts. About 15,000 troops have been deployed in Swat against an estimated 5,000 militants, and millions have been forced to flee their homes in what international organizations have termed a severe humanitarian crisis.

Displaced people struggle to get blocks of ice during a distribution at the Chota Lahore refugee camp, at Swabi, in northwest Pakistan, Wednesday, May 20, 2009.
Displaced people struggle to get blocks of ice during a distribution at the Chota Lahore refugee camp, at Swabi, in northwest Pakistan, Wednesday, May 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Pakistani army soldiers stand guard at the Jalozai camp in Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
Pakistani army soldiers stand guard at the Jalozai camp in Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Pakistani displaced men and children wait for donated food during a distribution at the Chota Lahore refugee camp, at Swabi, in northwest Pakistan, Thursday, May 21, 2009.
Pakistani displaced men and children wait for donated food during a distribution at the Chota Lahore refugee camp, at Swabi, in northwest Pakistan, Thursday, May 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Pakistani displaced children who fled the troubled Swat Valley attend a class at a make-shift school setup in Shiekh Yasin refugee camp in Mardan, Pakistan, on Thursday, May 21, 2009.
Pakistani displaced children who fled the troubled Swat Valley attend a class at a make-shift school setup in Shiekh Yasin refugee camp in Mardan, Pakistan, on Thursday, May 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
Pakistani displaced children who fled the troubled Swat Valley queue to get relief aid supplies in the Shiekh Yasin camp in Mardan, Pakistan on Thursday, May 21, 2009.
Pakistani displaced children who fled the troubled Swat Valley queue to get relief aid supplies in the Shiekh Yasin camp in Mardan, Pakistan on Thursday, May 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Fondue
May 22, 2009 12:53 PM CDT
I firmly believe that if we were not derailed into Iraq, the Af-Pak thing would be done and over years ago.
freethemall
May 22, 2009 3:54 AM CDT
I meant to say "badly mishandled", but on reflection, maybe "madly mishandled" is also correct.
freethemall
May 22, 2009 3:52 AM CDT
I concur. The Iraq adventure was not only mistimed, the occupation was madly mishandled.

UN wants $543 million in aid for Swat refugees
BBC

Women opened fire on Taliban invaders
Telegraph (UK)

 
Taliban • Pakistan • humanitarian crisis • Swat • Pakistan army • Swat Valley

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