Several militants, including top commanders of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Mohmand chapter, were killed on Wednesday, as military intensified its operation against combatants in Mohmand Agency. Sources said security forces targeted the hideouts of the militants in Lakaro and Pindyali Tehsils and elsewhere in the tribal agency with gunship helicopters, killing several militants and destroying their hideouts.
The sources said the house of Omar Kahlid, TTP Mohmand Agency chief, was also destroyed in the aerial blitz.
The sources said over 15 militants, including some important commanders, perished in the attack, while about 40 shops in Qayyumabad and Askarabad bazaars on Peshawar-Bajaur Road and 33 houses were also destroyed. The sources added that security forces occupied the militant hideout after killing six militants in Ghaziabad area.
Fierce fighting and shelling was also reported in Kamardin, Amarai Kor, Karair, Chingai, Palosai and Habibzai areas. Unconfirmed reports said Omar Khalid and a number of his fighters were staying in a hideout on the hilltop near Haji Sahib Tarangzai shrine when security forces attacked the place with heavy weapons in the evening.
According to the reports, a fierce gunbattle took place between security forces and insurgents in which Omar Khalid and TTP Halimzai tehsil Thief Wajihullah were reportedly killed and several others, including TTP Mohmand Naib Amir Qari Shakeel injured. However, neither security forces nor the Taliban confirmed the killing of Omar Khalid.