Battle of Wana

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Battle of Wana
Part of the Waziristan War

Map of the area involved in the fighting
Date March 16–March 23, 2004
Location Wana, Pakistan
Result Pakistani army victory
Belligerents
Flag of Pakistan Pakistan Army al-Qaeda,
Flag of Afghanistan Taliban
Commanders
Flag of Pakistan Brig. Mahmood Shah Unknown
Strength
Unknown 400 fighters
Casualties and losses
49 soldiers killed,[1][2]
11 soldiers captured,
33 soldiers wounded		 55 fighters killed,[3]
149 fighters captured
15 civilians killed[4]
v • d • e
War in Pakistan
Wana – Damadola – Chenagai – Lal Masjid – Mir Ali – Swat – Sararogha Fort

In March 2004, heavy fighting broke out at Azam Warsak, near the South Waziristan town of Wana, where Pakistani government troops faced an estimated 400 militants holed up in several fortified settlements.

It was speculated at the time that Osama bin Laden's deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri was among those trapped by the Pakistani Army, but he either escaped or was never among these fighters.

Contents

[edit] The Battle

On March 16, 2004, the army made first contact with the Taliban forces around the South Waziristan village of Wana.

Two days later, on March 18, 2004, reports began to surface that the Pakistani military had surrounded a “high-value” target, possibly al Qaeda second-in-command Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri. However, both the Pakistani and U.S. militaries refused to confirm or deny Zawahiri’s presence. The Pakistani military surrounded the mountain redoubt where the militants were well dug in. Heavy fighting insued and assault after assault was beaten back by the militants, and the army repeatedly suffered heavy casualties.

Tunnels were discovered at the site of the battle that led into Afghanistan. On March 20, 2004, Pakistani troops reported seeing a mysterious "foreigner" fleeing the scene of the siege, and while positive that it was not Osama bin Laden, theorized that it may well have been Dr. Zawahiri.

By March 23, 2004, the fighting was over and the army managed to take all of the Taliban fighters positions but at a high price. 49 soldiers and 55 militants were killed and 33 soldiers were wounded. 149 fighters were captured but also 11 Pakistani soldiers were captured by the Taliban forces. All of the soldiers were released on March 28, 2004.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] References

  1. ^ 49 Pakistani troops dead or missing so far in Al-Qaeda offensive
  2. ^ Action Update: March 15-28, 2004
  3. ^ Action Update: March 15-28, 2004
  4. ^ 49 Pakistani troops dead or missing so far in Al-Qaeda offensive

[edit] External links


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