(PTI) At least 10 militants were killed by Pakistani security forces during an operation to flush out the Taliban fighters from the restive Hangu region in the country's northwest, a military spokesman said today.The army launched the crackdown on the local Taliban after 16 paramilitary personnel were gunned down by militants at Zargari in Hangu district on July 12. About 1,500 troops backed by gunship helicopters, tanks and artillery have been mobilised for the operation.
Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas told reporters that 10 militants were killed and five soldiers injured in clashes since Wednesday.
However, local Taliban spokesman Maulvi Haider claimed the militants had killed 30 troops in fighting last night. He also said the militants were still present in Zargari but his claims could not be independently confirmed.
Reports from Hangu said an army helicopter killed at least five Taliban fighters and injured several more in a strike in an area close to the Aurakzai tribal region.
Abbas said the operation would continue till the Hangu area is cleared of militants. The army was called in by the NWFP government to aid the civil administration "to control the deteriorating law and order situation", he said.
The army yesterday took control of Zargari town, a stronghold of the Taliban, after fierce gun battles. The troops sealed off the area and launched a house-to-house search for militants. They also strengthened their positions and blew up the homes of several suspected militants.
Local residents said the security forces and militants had also clashed at Shinawarai area in Hangu district and that both sides had suffered casualties.