ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces killed 30 militants loyal to Al-Qaeda and Taleban in the latest fighting in a strategically important tribal region on the Afghan border, officials said yesterday.
Three soldiers, including two army officers, were also killed in the fighting, which began Friday, in Bajaur region described by the military officials as a “center of gravity” for the militants.
The security forces backed by helicopter gunships pounded positions of the militants in and around militant strongholds in Loi Sam and Rashakai areas.
Military spokesman Major Murad Khan said 25 militants were killed in fighting on Friday. A military official said five more insurgents were killed yesterday.
“The security forces have cleared the areas around west and north of Rashkai and Loi Sam areas,” Khan said. “The security forces are successfully making advances today,” he added.
Pakistani security forces launched the offensive in Bajaur in August and a senior military official on Friday estimated 65 percent of the militant problem would be eliminated if guerrillas were defeated in Bajaur. Maj. Gen. Tariq Khan, head of the paramilitary Frontier Corps force, said up to 1,000 militants, including their five senior commanders, and 62 soldiers had been killed in the fighting in the region.
Bajaur is the smallest of Pakistan’s seven so-called tribal agencies, semi-autonomous ethnic Pashtun regions along the Afghan border, with a population of just one million people.
Meanwhile, the authorities have clamped curfew in parts of Khyber Agency with a view to reopening the Kohat-Darra Adam Khail -Kyber Pass main highway leading to Afghanistan and ensure smooth flow of road traffic to Afghanistan.
Kohat Tunnel which shortens distance between Kohat-Peshawar has remained closed for last few weeks. “It was a tactical move to create land blockade of Afghanistan by militants,” said, Central Information Secretary of Awami National Party Zahid Khan.
Security forces have started operation by clamping curfew in the outskirts at Matni adjoining to Darra Adam Khail. The search operation is continuing in Darra Adam Khail for the past five days, while a major action of the security forces is expected today, which has prompted the authorities to clamp curfew in other areas also including Peshawar region.
In Kurram Agency Rival factions have agreed on cease-fire yesterday. According to political sources, Toori and Bangash tribes, fighting against each other, have agreed on cease-fire and have signed an agreement in this regard.
This may be recalled that the fighting among the tribes not only caused heavy losses to both sides but the supply of essential items including medicine is suspended due to which the people are suffering from great hardships.
— With input from agencies
