ISLAMABAD: Pakistani troops killed more than 17 militants in clashes yesterday in the troubled north-western region bordering Afghanistan, officials said.
Security forces backed by helicopter gunships, artillery and combat jets pounded mountain hideouts of militants as they continued their push into Bajaur tribal district, a known haven for elements of the Al-Qaeda terrorist network and the extremist Taleban.
“At least 17 militants were killed and around two dozen wounded when our ground forces engaged them with rocket attacks and artillery fire,” a security official said on condition of anonymity.
Several militant positions were also destroyed in the operation.
A military spokesman, Major Murad Khan, confirmed the clashes but could not give the exact number of casualties suffered by the militants.
“Exchange of fire continued between security forces and the insurgents throughout the day and the ground troops secured more areas, particularly the areas of Khazana and Nasir Abad, previously under the militants’ control,” he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA).
“Heavy casualties were inflicted on militants and the operation will continue till the last hideout of the rebels is destroyed,” he added.
A Taleban spokesman, Maulvi Omar, claimed that seven military personnel were killed and another seven captured when the militants ambushed a security convoy near the Sheikh Baba Pul area.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s new civilian president, Asif Ali Zardari, yesterday arrived in London on a private visit during which he will also hold talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, scheduled for tomorrow. Zardari is expected to press Brown to lobby against unilateral US attacks in the Pakistani tribal region. Brown earlier this week said he and US President George W Bush were scheduled to hold a video conference on Thursday to discuss operations in Afghanistan.
