Fighting in Mohmand Agency on Monday killed 23 militants and seven soldiers, triggering panic amongst locals, officials and residents said. Military spokesman Major General Waheed Arshad told Daily Times, “It was an ambush on a paramilitary convoy.” He said seven soldiers and 23 militants were killed.The convoy was ambushed while travelling from Gath to Ghalanai. Security forces pounded Safi tehsil. Tribal sources said no casualties were reported. “Locals also joined the soldiers against the militants, destroying two vehicles,” Arshad added.
Taliban commander Faqir Hussain was killed in the battle, sources said. The clash triggered panic in the locals, with residents claiming many were fleeing for safer places.
Denial: Taliban spokesman Maulvi Omar denied any fighters were killed, saying they had killed seven soldiers and taken 17 prisoner, Reuters reported. “We’ll not stop fighting until the government withdraws forces and ends operations in tribal regions and Swat.”
Not that it has anything particularly to do with the above, but...
In South Waziristan, a Wazir tribal council decided to assemble a 600-tribesmen-strong force to fight foreign militants and those harbouring them. A tribal elder in Wana said they would give three days “for anyone providing shelter to foreigners to stop,” warning of retaliation otherwise.