HANGU: Fighter jets and helicopter gunships pounded Taliban hideouts in Orakzai Agency on Sunday, with the AP news agency reporting at least 18 people killed in the offensive. AP quoted a government official as saying that the targets were strongholds of Hakeemullah Mehsud, a deputy to Baitullah Mehsud. Hundreds fled the area amid the fighting. According to the Reuters news agency, security officials said the government forces were targeting a group of Taliban in Orakzai who were preparing to travel to South Waziristan on the Afghan border to fight the army there. The news agency also quoted a Taliban spokesman, Maulvi Haider, as saying that 13 of his men had been killed and vowed revenge. "We'll hit back and our target could be anywhere in Pakistan," he said.
| "We shall have Dire Revenge™!" |
The sources told Daily Times that at least eight Taliban hideouts were destroyed. The political authorities confirmed the offensive.