"Pakistan troops withdraw from Taliban stronghold
by Zulfiqar Ali and Laura King
Los AngelesTimes
August 10, 2008
PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN -- Pakistani security forces pulled out of a Taliban stronghold near the border with Afghanistan after three days of fierce fighting that left at least eight troops dead and dozens missing, local and military officials said Saturday.
The fighting in the tribal region of Bajaur was the most serious combat of its kind in the area, with government forces using tanks, fighter jets and attack helicopters to try to subdue the militants. Local sources said the insurgents had captured at least two armored vehicles and large caches of ammunition.
The confrontation took place outside Khar, the main regional town in the Bajaur region. Witnesses said the area was littered with bodies and burned vehicles.
A spokesman for Pakistan's Taliban movement said that as many as 100 Pakistani paramilitary troops had been killed and about three dozen captured. Pakistani officials acknowledged that 55 troops were missing.
The fighting erupted four days ago when security forces moved into the area. At one point, about 200 soldiers were surrounded by the militants and cut off from their supply lines.
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And what is happening across the border, readers?
"Afghan officials: Civilians may be among 11 killed
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan officials say 11 people have been killed in clashes and airstrikes north of Kabul, and that civilians may be among the dead.
Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense says more than 10 people were killed in a clash near Kapisa, about 40 miles north of Kabul. The ministry didn't say if those killed were militants or civilians.
Rahimullah Safi, deputy governor of Kapisa province, says 11 people were killed and that all were civilians.
But the provincial police chief, Matiullah Safi, says it wasn't yet clear if the dead were militants or civilians.
The U.S.-led coalition says there were airstrikes in the region, but no civilian casualties.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The ruling coalition has called a session of the National Assembly tomorrow after vowing to oust US-backed President Pervez Musharraf, a party spokesman said.
The coalition, which swept to power after trouncing Musharraf's allies in February elections, announced Thursday that it would seek to impeach the former army strongman, cranking up pressure that he has so far resisted to step down.
The coalition accused the president of violating the constitution, bringing "Pakistan to a critical economical impasse" during his eight-year rule, and conspiring against its newly elected government.
Then when can we start impeaching Bush here, dammit?
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What, no WAR REPORT, BG?!
Really, readers, can you HIDE WARS any better than the crap-cock BG here?
