Security forces killed around 50 Taliban militants in fresh clashes in the Bajaur Agency bordering Afghanistan, taking the death toll to nearly 160 in five days of fighting, officials said."Helicopter gunships pounded positions of the militants in Bajaur and killed about 50 of them," a security official told Reuters. There were no casualties from the security forces, he said. The airstrikes lasted for three hours.
"Some of the bombs dropped by jets on suspected militants' hideouts in Tauheedabad and Damadola villages also hit many houses killing six civilians and wounding 12 others," the security official told AFP. Civilian casualties were also reported in the Charmang area of Bajaur and the Manja area of Khar.
Residents said the fighting erupted at 1am on Monday and bodies were scattered across farmland 20 kilometres east of Khar, the agency headquarters.
According to security officials, the fresh clashes erupted after militants attacked a security forces convoy in Sikandaro area of Khar, the agency headquarters, and the Tor Ghundi fort.
Thousands flee: A Reuters reporter said thousands of people were fleeing from the area after aircraft bombed four villages.