KHAR: Security forces captured Damadola, Taliban’s stronghold 15 kilometres north of Bajaur Agency headquarters Khar, on Saturday, military sources said.
 
According to the sources, the capture was one of the ‘major successes’ achieved by troops since the launch of operation Sherdil on Aug 6, 2008, in Bajaur.

Damadola town, in Mamond tehsil, is the native town of Maulana Faqir Mohammad, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan’s deputy chief. Until four years ago, it had been a stronghold of Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi.

According to security forces and the political administration, militants had established a number of training centres and underground bankers in the town. Maulana Faqir and his close associates used to issue directives to their men from the area.

The place came into limelight after US drones carried out four attacks over the past four years. A number of local and foreign militants, including Maulana Liaquat, a close aide of Maulana Faqir, were killed in the strikes.

According to sources, troops captured Damadola on Saturday morning after overcoming stiff resistance by militants. They said that although troops had cleared key points of the town, a few pockets were still under Taliban control.

The sources said that most of the militants had been killed in the operation and a number of them might have been buried alive in underground bunkers and hideouts.

APP adds: An operation was launched by security forces and volunteers of Qaumi Lashkar on Jan 27 to clear Damadola of terrorists.

An FC spokesman said that during the operation a number of hideouts and bunkers had been destroyed and 60 terrorists killed. Seven soldiers lost their lives.