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2 Taliban killed as troops continue Bajaur advance
 Two Taliban were killed and another three injured in security forces' operation in Bajaur Agency on Monday, officials said. The two Taliban were killed in shelling and mortar fire by helicopter gunships in Mamoond tehsil of the agency. Locals said the gunships targeted Taliban hideouts in various areas of Mamoond after a pause of 10 days. Local sources said the Taliban had begun digging trenches in Tanai and Omarai areas of Mamoond to stop the security forces advance towards their positions. Hundreds of families in the two areas have moved to safer places fearing clashes between troops and the Taliban, the sources said. The security forces have fortified their positions and set up a number of security checkposts in Nawagai tehsil. A 50-member Levies team has also been deployed in the area. The Taliban in Swat killed three people while three others were lashed for allegedly selling narcotics. The Taliban beheaded two followers of rival cleric Pir Samiullah in Gwalerai area of Matta tehsil. The Taliban had killed Samiullah in a clash on Sunday and had taken 25 of his followers hostage. In Totano Bandai area of Kabal tehsil, police recovered an unidentified body. Officials said the person had been shot to death. The Taliban publicly lashed three men in Charbagh teshil after accusing them of selling narcotics, locals said. Meanwhile, one man was killed and three others abducted by the Taliban in Kotki area of Hangu district, police said. Officials said the Taliban stopped a vehicle on the GT Road near Kotki. Out of the five men who were coming from Orakzai Agency, the Taliban killed Riaz Ali on the spot, injured Mukhtiar Ali and kidnapped the other three men identified as Shoaib Ali, Gul Hassan and Sher Ali. Posted by: Fred 2008-12-16 |
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