| Submit your comments on this article |
| India-Pakistan |
| 15 Taliban killed as troops target Bajaur hideouts |
| 2008-10-21 |
| Fifteen Taliban were killed as security forces used heavy artillery, fighter jets and helicopter gunships to target suspected hideouts in Bajaur Agency on Monday. After the attacks in the Chinar, Charmang, Kohi, Babra, Zorbandar, Hashim and Loyesam areas of the tribal region, helicopters dropped pamphlets asking tribesmen to support the government against Taliban. Government troops now control Salarzai and Utman Khel tehsils and parts of Khar. Shops, banks, government offices and schools remained open in Khar, where the security situation has improved. Meanwhile, about 300 elders from the Salarzai tribe vowed to resist Taliban in their areas during a grand jirga held in Bajaur. The elders said they would fight Taliban for Pakistan's sake and would not allow them to re-enter their land. They asked the government to launch development and welfare projects in the area to win more tribesmen over. Swat: Seven Taliban were killed and another 10 wounded in a clash with security forces in the Shah Dherai area of Swat's Kabal tehsil on Monday, military officials said. A military spokesman in Mingora said the clash followed an attack by Taliban on a security checkpoint. Troops also used artillery to target Taliban positions in the area. Residents said several civilians were killed as mortar shells hit houses. Taliban fired seven rockets at a security checkpost in Totano Bandai area of Kabal, but there were no casualties. Darra Adam Khel: Security forces arrested five 'hardcore' Taliban including two commanders from the Peerwal and Kakakhel areas of Darra Adam Khel on Monday, a Frontier Constabulary (FC) spokesman said. He said they also seized two trucks laden with heavy weapons and ammunition from the house of another commander during the raids. |
| Posted by:Fred |