Security forces in Mohmand Agency killed five Taliban and captured an explosives expert known to have links with Afghan insurgents, a senior military officer said on Thursday, AFP reported.One Taliban was killed and another was wounded in a shootout with troops, who chased their vehicle when they refused to stop at a checkpost, Colonel Muhammad Saifullah said. Four other Taliban arrived in a jeep to rescue the injured, but security forces attacked the vehicle, killing all of them, he said.
The alleged explosives expert was identified as Pakistani Taliban commander Imran alias Mansoor.
Meanwhile, security forces killed 10 Taliban during a search operation in Sarsanai village of Kabal tehsil in Swat, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The ISPR statement said that security forces also seized a large quantity of explosives and CDs from the village.
Also, the Taliban beheaded a police constable who they abducted two days ago from Charbagh tehsil.
The Taliban also released 62 jirga members, abducted from Matta tehsil, after a deal with the local population, a jirga member and local administration officials told Daily Times. Sources said that the local population had assured the Taliban that they would not support the government in future. The Taliban had earlier killed two jirga members to pressure the local community to surrender to their demands.
Security forces on Thursday continued operation against the Taliban in Bajaur Agency and pounded suspected hideouts in Mamoond, Nawagai and Khar tehsils, officials said, APP reported.
Meanwhile, two persons were killed and another injured when a shell accidentally hit a house in Bai Cheena in Khar tehsil.
The security forces have strengthened their position in Loyesam and surrounding areas of Khar. Also on Thursday, Pakistani officials deported 17 Afghan nationals at Torkham border and arrested 25 Uzbek nationals travelling without valid documents.