| LADHA: Security forces resumed targeting Taliban positions in South Waziristan on Sunday after a lull in the clashes for a day. The security forces pounded militantsÂ’ positions with heavy artillery and mortar fire, forcing residents of the nearby areas to leave their homes and move to safer locations. Scores of fleeing families have migrated to the adjacent district of Tank via Omar Adda and Tormandai Gomal areas. Many of them complained that the troops were targeting civilian areas and several citizens, including women and children, had been killed and injured in the firing. Two evacuees said the authorities had asked the residents to leave the area by dropping pamphlets from helicopters. They said the people had to cover a 20-hour trek to reach Tank and Tormandai Gomal areas. Meanwhile, talks between a jirga of Mehsud tribesmen and political authorities were continuing on Sunday to negotiate a ceasefire in the area. A member of the jirga Maulana Merajuddin said people were not expecting such an action by the government. Meanwhile, militants in North Waziristan have extended ceasefire till February 10, Geo TV reported. |