Eight militants killed in security operations in Bajaur

Islamabad, Oct 24 (PTI) At least eight Taliban militants
were killed in operations by Pakistani security forces in the
troubled northwestern Bajaur tribal region Friday, officials
said.

The security forces targeted militant positions in
Loisam, Charmang and Mamoond sub-districts, all considered
Taliban strongholds, with artillery and mortars, officials of
the political administration of Bajaur Agency said.

At least eight militants were killed in the shelling, the
officials told Dawn News channel. A security official said
troops had taken control of a strategic area near Loisam that
has roads leading to most parts of Bajaur Agency.

This would make it possible to block infiltration from
other areas into Bajaur and to check the movement of
militants.

A jirga or council of the Mamoond tribe is also expected
to decide Friday whether to take up arms and form a militia
against the Taliban. Elders of the Mamoond tribe are currently
negotiating with the local Taliban to expel foreign fighters
and to settle all matters amicably, sources said.

Pakistani troops had Thursday killed at least 35
militants in ground and air strikes in Bajaur Agency. The
Pakistan Army has claimed it has killed over 1,000 militants
since it launched an operation in the region in late August.

Tribesmen say the casualty figures are exaggerated and
include many civilians killed in the operations. Nearly
200,000 people have been displaced by the fighting in Bajaur
and many of them are now living in refugee camps in the North
West Frontier Province. PTI R.H.L.