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| India-Pakistan |
| 13 militants killed in Bajaur offensive: officials |
| 2008-10-01 |
| Troops backed by gunship helicopters killed 13 Taliban militants in fresh clashes in the troubled tribal district of Bajaur on the Afghan border, officials said Tuesday. Four Islamist insurgents were killed Tuesday and two were wounded in the shelling of a suspected vehicle in the town of Mamond, a security official said. Troops killed another five extremists after a group of militants launched an attack on a military checkpost in the same town, sparking a gunbattle that lasted nearly one hour, the official said. A further four militants were killed overnight when jets pounded suspected hideouts in the area, security officials said. The house of a known Taliban commander, Maulana Muhammad Muneer, was damaged, they said. Our Khar correspondent adds: Three explosives-laden vehicles were destroyed in ongoing military operation in Bajaur Agency on Tuesday. Sources told The News that military operation continued against militants in Kitkot area of Bajaur. Gunship helicopters pounded hideouts of the militants in Rashkai and other areas, leaving five militants dead. Three explosives-laden vehicles were targeted in fresh raid and were completely destroyed. Sources said the destroyed vehicles were being moved to various parts of the country for terrorist activities. APP adds: Meanwhile, following the suit of Salarzai and Charmang tribesmen, hundreds of tribal people of Utmankhel tribes after raising a grand laskhar have decided to launch full-fledged laskhar campaign against militants after Eidul Fitr. The elders of Utamankhel had in a peace jirga earlier decided to extend full support to security forces in their efforts of purging extremists from Bajaur Agency. The tribesmen had vowed that they will strongly resist any miscreants activities and foreign troops attacks in their respective areas. Strict action would be taken against those elements found guilty of giving shelter to Taliban fighters and their houses would be put on fire. It was decided that 'laskhar' will start its campaigns after Eidul Fitr and will continue armed patrolling in Utmanzai to help law enforcing agencies maintain law and order in the agency. Peace committees at village level would be set-up which will monitor the situation. Assistant Political Agent Muhammad Iqbal Khan Khattak speaking on the occasion said maintaining law and order was the joint responsibility of tribal people and the government to ensure lasting peace in the Agency as government alone can't do anything, saying the cooperation of locals was must to flush out militants from Bajaur Agency. He said, "Islam is the religion of peace and strictly prohibits taking lives of innocent Muslim brothers." He urged the tribespeople to raise against militants who were bent upon destroying peace of the agency and to push tribal people to backwardness. He said the designs of such elements could be frustrated with the help of brave tribesmen. Meanwhile, strong anger against militants has gripped Salarzai tehsil after the Monday deadly clashes between extremists and tribal lashkar in which nine tribesmen and four militants including militants commander Abdul Muttalib were killed. The Salarzai tribesmen have vowed to wage Jihad against Taliban fighters and militants soon after Eidul Fitr celebrations. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 sure is funny how the paki troops NEVER kill any civilians, But the US can drop 1 missile in a desert with no one around and there will be at least 20 |
| Posted by: sinse 2008-10-01 10:55 |