2500 soldiers take position in Swat, action against Maulana Fazlullah likely

Wednesday October 24, 2007 (2128 PST)

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SWAT+RAWALPINDI: The Security forces have taken Position in mountainous valley of swat and closed various main highways for every type of traffic to maintain law and order there.

Confirming the deployment of security forces, Director General Inter Public Service Relations (ISPR) and Army Spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed has said that about 2500 Personnel has been deployed in Swat on request of local administration.

He said that the main reason behind the deployment of forces was to curb the activities of Maulana Fazlullah, besides ensuring law and order in Swat, a mountain valley popular with tourists.

Fresh caravan of troops comprised of more than 500 vehicles arrived in Swat, which were being deployed in Mangora, Faza Gut, Mangalore, Char Bagh, Khawaza, Kabal, Kanju and Matta and other areas.

All the educational institutes, business centres and banks have been closed on Wednesday in Mangora and its suburb areas. Sporadic hovering of Gunship helicopters were being underway causing sense of fears among the locals.

Sources told Online the paramilitary troops are setting up checkpoints across Swat while full fledge preparation is underway for action against Maulana Fazal Ullah and his associates.   The soldiers have closed all entry and exist points leading to Imam Dheri, native area of Maulana Fazal Ullah.

Due to absence of traffic at roads and main highways, the student, Government employees and General Public were facing enormous difficulties, as the troops have closed entry and exist points leading to Swat.   

The patrolling of security forces across the swat has been intensified. On the other hand, Maulana Fazal Ullah and his accomplices have started preparation of counter action.

Meanwhile, Spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed told foreign news agency 2500 soldiers have been deployed around the Swat and the local people will soon get rid from Maulana Fazal Ullah and his associates.

The army will assist the frontier corps while it was not such operation in which firing and shelling will be used.  Commenting on current situation of Miran Shah, Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad there was