Helicopter gunships pounded several hideouts of Taliban commander Hakeemullah Mehsud in Orakzai Agency on Thursday, killing 12 Taliban, said the military. "We targeted hideouts of Hekeemullah Mehsud," army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas told Daily Times. Military sources in Orakzai said that six of the bases in Tora Cheena and Chappar Ferozkhel areas had been razed. The sources said bodies of 12 Taliban were seen from helicopters. Hakeemullah -- a close aide of Baitullah Mehsud, who was reportedly killed in a missile strike on August 5 in South Waziristan -- is commanding Taliban in Orakzai and Kurram agencies.
Meanwhile in Swat, security forces killed one Taliban and arrested 14 others, including a commander. "Troops killed a Taliban, identified as Liaqat, in Liluani and arrested local Taliban commander Rahim Gul from Luluani village," said the ISPR.
Security forces conducted a search operation in Ghuzano Sar near Peochar, and arrested two Taliban, while two others surrendered in Bagh Dheri and Shalpalam. Two Taliban were arrested from Shaggai, and as many from Tando Dag and Ahingro Dherai. The ISPR said the forces arrested five Taliban from Tal. Meanwhile, two bullet riddled bodies were recovered from Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency on Thursday. Separately, the AFP news agency said seven people died in gunfights on Wednesday between Taliban and a lashkar in South Waziristan.