Another 50 people were killed as fighter jets bombed militant hideouts in North Waziristan on Tuesday, taking the total death toll from three days of fighting to around 250. Military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad said fighter jets bombed militant targets in Ipi, Khedherkhel and Khushali Torikhel villages in Mir Ali tehsil in the afternoon. Security sources said 50 people were killed in the bombing, though there was no official confirmation. AFP, citing security sources, reported that 50 militants were killed and a similar number injured. Before the air strike, the army said around 150 militants and 47 soldiers had been killed in three days of clashes during ‘Operation al-Mizan (Justice)’ in North Waziristan, and that the army had turned down request for a ceasefire. “During (the) last three days of clashes with security forces as many as 150 militants have been killed while 50 were wounded. Forty-five security personnel have also embraced Shahadat while 20 others were injured during these clashes which started on Saturday in North Waziristan Agency,” a military statement said.
The military said two soldiers were killed in a blast in Mamoon Panga, Burmand, in North Waziristan at 1:50pm on Tuesday. An attack on Gharlamai check-post west of Miranshah in Dattakhel tehsil resulted in the death of two army soldiers and serious injuries to four others.
Ceasefire request rejected: “Security forces have also turned down the ceasefire request of militants as their demand cannot be met,” the military said, adding that security forces would “continue punitive action till complete peace is restored in restive North Waziristan”. There was no official word on civilian casualties, but local residents around Mir Ali said “several dozens” were killed in the crossfire between soldiers and militants.
Civilians flee homes to escape fighting: Meanwhile, thousands of civilians were reported to be fleeing their homes in Mir Ali and nearby villages. “I am leaving for a safer place as living here … is like inviting death,” Muhammad Anwar, a resident of Khasokhel village, told Daily Times.
Several families fled Harmuz village, leaving male members behind to guard their houses. “I am alone at home. Most families are taking women and children to safer places and leaving one or two male members at home to protect the house,” said Salam Dawar, a resident of Harmuz. He said wounded civilians were finding it hard to get to hospital for treatment. Gen Arshad said all wounded civilians were allowed to proceed to hospitals and that families wanting to move to safe places would be helped. Local residents also said food and medicine supplies were running low.
Late in the evening, a rocket attack on the military headquarters in Miranshah prompted artillery fire in the direction of Mir Ali, where announcements through mosque loudspeakers asked residents of Harmuz and Musaki villages to evacuate, residents said.