Pakistan Launches Buner Offensive

Three Platoons Reported Captured as Militants Fight Back

by Jason Ditz, April 28, 2009

With a nod of eager approval from the United States, the Pakistani military finished its brief Lower Dir offensive and immediately launched a much larger attack on the contested Buner district. Troops poured into the district, and backed by helicopter gunships and fighter jets, launched attacks.

The Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sparked international concern when they sent a heavily armed group of what they described as preachers to the district, some 60 miles from the capital city of Islamabad, and in short order reports emerged that they had seized control over parts of the city. A pullout was negotiated just days later, but the speed and effectiveness with which the newly set up local TTP took charge of the district led many to speculate the pullout was largely phony.

The militants wasted no time in launching counter-attacks however. They had reportedly chased troops and police into one of the local stations and were laying siege to it. Moreover, reports have emerged that the militants have captured and disarmed three platoons of the paramilitary Frontier Corps.

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