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| India-Pakistan |
| Security forces ask Khar residents to move out |
| 2008-08-13 |
| Security forces have warned residents in three tehsils of Bajaur Agency to force militants to leave their areas. "Get these unwanted people out of your areas, otherwise we will bomb places where the militants are present," pamphlets dropped from helicopters in Utmankhel, Khar and Mamoond read. The pamphlets also advised the local population in the three tehsils to move to safer places to avoid being harmed, as more bombings were expected. Militants killed: Air raids on suspected hideouts of militants in Utmankhel and Khar were carried out on Tuesday resulting in the killing of 21 militants, official sources said. "Fighter jets and helicopter gunships were used to target the suspected places," the sources went on to say. Five civilians were also reported to have been killed during bombing in Khar's Nawedhand area. Officials claimed the dead were militants, but local residents denied that. Taliban warn: A spokesman for Taliban leader Gul Bahadar in North Waziristan "warned" the government against operation in Bajaur and other areas. In a press statement in Miranshah, spokesman Ahmadullah Ahmedi said that the new Taliban bloc would not tolerate "inhuman" attacks. "Bombings and operations are no solution. However, negotiations can lead to a solution and we invite the government to order ceasefire to pave the way for talks," he said. Peace committees have been formed in Khar tehsil to keep militants out of the area, Daily Times learnt. "We have formed different peace committees and volunteers will guard their respective areas against local and foreign militants' presence," cleric Maulana Hanif said. He said the administration promised to not carry out any operation. Migrations: Meanwhile, thousands of people had migrated to the neighbouring Dir district due to ongoing military operation in Bajaur Agency. They were living in temporary shelters set up in the Munda area of Timer Garah in Lower Dir district. |
| Posted by:Fred |