An assault claimed to be "among the fiercest in months'" had Pakistani jets pounding a suspected Al Qaeda training facility and killing 50
militants. The facility was believed to be Osama Bin Laden's hideout, near the Afghan border. It is not known whether any key figures of Al Qaeda
were killed in the bombing.
guardian.co.uk
WANA, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistani warplanes pummeled a suspected al-Qaida training facility near the border with Afghanistan on Thursday, flattening a
vast mud-brick compound and killing at least 50 fighters, the military said.
The assault was among the fiercest in months of fighting in the dusty border region, considered a possible hideout for Osama bin Laden and his deputy,
who are still on the run nearly three years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.
Please visit the link provided for the complete story.
Pakistan is known to claim the killing of foreigners who turn out to be local tribesmen. Heavy civilian casualties have been reported by villagers.
Alam Khan, a resident of Ladha, claims he witnessed 3 other areas being bombed. The battle reportedly lasted 2 hours, and two jets and about 10 army
helicopters were witnessed flying over the scene.
Pakistan, an ally in the U.S.-led campaign against terrorism, has deployed tens of thousands of troops along the Afghan border to fight
al-Qaida and Taliban fighters operating there.
[edit on 9-9-2004 by deeprivergal]
[edit on 9-9-2004 by deeprivergal]
