PAKISTAN: MAJOR MILITARY OPERATION IN BALUCHISTAN

Karachi, 7 Feb. (AKI) - (by Syed Saleem Shahzad) - Pakistani security forces mounted a major operation on Tuesday morning in the troubled southern province of Baluchistan with the aim of destroying the sanctuaries of the Baluch nationalist leaders, highly placed sources told Adnkronos International (AKI). Local television reports have said that loud explosions were heard at the home of Nawab Akbar Bugti, the leader of one of the most powerful tribes in Baluchistan. Eye witnesses say that the fort of Nawab Akbar Bugti in the town of Dera Bugti was surrounded by flames.

Baluchistan is the source of Pakistan's main gas reserves and has been the scene of increased violence between rebels and security forces. The rebels are demanding greater control over the natural resources. The Pakistan army launched a major crackdown in the province last month after rockets were fired during a visit by president Pervez Musharraf.

Local television reports say that the home of Nawab Akbar Bugti, 85, the man believed to be the leader of a fierce armed resistance by Baluch tribesmen against the Pakistan army, was engulfed in fire after massive explosions were heard in the area.

However the district coordination officer in Dera Bugti, Abdus Samad Lasi, maintained that neither Nawab Bugti, nor his family members were present in the fort. However, there were indications that heavy arms and ammunition were stored in the building.

"Yes, a big operation has been mounted on the fort of Nawab Bugti which shows the government's conviction to root out terrorism at all cost," said a top Pakistani official who commented on the condition of anonymity. "This is the beginning of an end of Nawab Bugti’s hegemony in his area," said the official.

Nawab Bugti is the head of the Jamhuri Watan Party (JWP) and is a former chief minister of the province of Baluchistan. He is said to be the main engine behind the turmoil between the local tribesmen and the Pakistan army. He was reported to have set up camp in the mountains surrounding Dera Bugti together with other tribesmen some weeks ago.