ID :
13431
Wed, 07/23/2008 - 10:37
Auther :
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http://m.oananews.org//node/13431
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Five Taliban fighters killed in gun battle with anti-socials
Islamabad, Jul 23 (PTI) Five Taliban fighters were killed during a gun battle with anti-social elements at Darra Adam Khel town in Pakistan's restive North West Frontier ProvinceMonday.
Police said the Taliban attacked the hideouts of some anti-socials at Jinnah Kor in Darra Adam Khel in a bid to "eliminate" them. They retaliated and five Taliban cadres werekilled during the exchange of fire.
The incident created tension in the area. The Taliban had earlier claimed that the anti-socials were involved in "unethical and heinous" activities and warned they would takeaction against the elements.
The gun battle took place even as security forces continued their operations against the Taliban in Hangu district of N.W.F.P. Curfew was relaxed in Hangu town sinceMonday morning and shops and markets were open.
Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said security forces had cleared Hangu of militants after killing 20 rebelsand capturing another 60.
"At least 20 militants have been killed and 60 others captured so far in the operation as the troops managed to push militants out of the district and are now targeting them in the mountains in the north of Hangu district," Abbas toldstate-run A.P.P. news agency.
The army launched a crackdown in Hangu district after theTaliban killed 15 paramilitary personnel in an ambush June 11.
There have been several fierce clashes between security forces and militants, including an attack by about 120 Taliban fighters on the Frontier Corps fort at Torawarai in HanguSaturday night.
There were also reports of a fresh clash Monday betweensecurity forces and Taliban in the Swat valley in N.W.F.P.
though there were no details about casualties. The Pakistan Army denied a claim by the Taliban that six security forcespersonnel were killed in the clash.
The Swat area had been peaceful for the past few weeks but the local Taliban had warned that they might carry out attacks if the security forces did not halt the operation in Hangu. PTI RHL
Police said the Taliban attacked the hideouts of some anti-socials at Jinnah Kor in Darra Adam Khel in a bid to "eliminate" them. They retaliated and five Taliban cadres werekilled during the exchange of fire.
The incident created tension in the area. The Taliban had earlier claimed that the anti-socials were involved in "unethical and heinous" activities and warned they would takeaction against the elements.
The gun battle took place even as security forces continued their operations against the Taliban in Hangu district of N.W.F.P. Curfew was relaxed in Hangu town sinceMonday morning and shops and markets were open.
Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said security forces had cleared Hangu of militants after killing 20 rebelsand capturing another 60.
"At least 20 militants have been killed and 60 others captured so far in the operation as the troops managed to push militants out of the district and are now targeting them in the mountains in the north of Hangu district," Abbas toldstate-run A.P.P. news agency.
The army launched a crackdown in Hangu district after theTaliban killed 15 paramilitary personnel in an ambush June 11.
There have been several fierce clashes between security forces and militants, including an attack by about 120 Taliban fighters on the Frontier Corps fort at Torawarai in HanguSaturday night.
There were also reports of a fresh clash Monday betweensecurity forces and Taliban in the Swat valley in N.W.F.P.
though there were no details about casualties. The Pakistan Army denied a claim by the Taliban that six security forcespersonnel were killed in the clash.
The Swat area had been peaceful for the past few weeks but the local Taliban had warned that they might carry out attacks if the security forces did not halt the operation in Hangu. PTI RHL
