Eyewitness: Battle For Waziristan

BBC News, Miran Shah

March 9th, 2006

By Haroon Rashid

Winding through the dry mountains in our vehicle towards the hotspot of Miran Shah in Pakistan's North Waziristan region, the first signs of trouble are visible from far away.

Two US-supplied helicopter gunships were hovering over the town, showing us the way.

Miran Shah has been at the centre of recent fierce clashes between troops and pro-Taleban militants. Officials say 140 people have been killed.
As we moved forward, we tried to pass a military convoy comprising 10 vehicles.

We were stopped by initially hostile soldiers in flak jackets and helmets. The soldiers were armed with light and heavy weapons mounted on their vehicles.

They asked for our identity. After verification, we were not only allowed to go further but to film them patrolling on the streets.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4787548.stm