18 Taliban, 7 soldiers killed in FATA violence

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

18 Taliban, 7 soldiers killed in FATA violence

* Fighter jets bomb Taliban hideouts in Kurram Agency
* Taliban fire rockets at Scouts Fort in Mamoond tehsil

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI/LAHORE/KHAR: The army killed at least 18 more Taliban in South Waziristan, Kurram Agency and Bajaur Agency on Monday.

“Taliban fired rockets at a checkpost in Makeen, South Waziristan ... killing four soldiers. Meanwhile, eight Taliban were killed [in fighting],” said the ISPR, adding that security forces cleared Tauda China Khola and established a checkpost near Makeen.

Makeen is one of the most notorious Taliban-held towns in South Waziristan and close to where former TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud had a house, which the military said on Friday had been demolished.

The ISPR said the army also consolidated its positions around the “Jandola-Sararogha axis”.

Troops conducted a search-and-clearance operation in Bangalkhel, Totai Langarkhel and Kanigurm, and demolished Taliban commander Mumtaz Burki’s hideout on the “Shakai-Kaniguram axis”.

In Swat, troops arrested two Taliban from Batkhela Bazaar and Usmanabad near Mingora. Also, a Taliban surrendered to security forces in Charbagh.

In Kurram Agency, a private TV channel reported that at least eight Taliban were killed and several injured when fighter jets bombed Taliban hideouts.

According to the channel, air force jets bombed Chanark, Wormegai and Spairkot, destroying nine Taliban hideouts.

In Bajaur Agency, troops killed at least two Taliban. However, three soldiers were also killed.

A remote-controlled bomb explosion killed two security personnel and injured another in Mulla Sayed area of Salarzai tehsil. Taliban had planted the bomb in a military vehicle.

In the agency headquarters of Khar, Taliban gunned down a third soldier – identified as Noor Zada of the Bajaur Levies. The area was cordoned off following the attack.

Taliban rockets: Meanwhile, Taliban also fired rockets at the Scouts Fort in Mamoond tehsil. Troops retaliated and killed at least two Taliban.

During a search operation in Charmang, security forces seized three anti-aircraft guns from an underground bunker.

source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\11\10\story_10-11-2009_pg1_3