16 terrorists, 3 troops killed in Kurram offensive

Sunday, December 13, 2009

16 terrorists, 3 troops killed in Kurram offensive

* 13 Taliban killed in Khyber Agency, Lower Dir
* Forces capture underground cave in SWA, seize foreign-made weapons

PARACHINAR/LAHORE/ PESHAWAR/KHAR: Sixteen Taliban and three security personnel were killed during the military operation in Kurram Agency on Saturday.

The killed Taliban included a commander wanted by police in several incidents of sabotage and insurgency. The security forces launched a massive operation in Marghan, Dogar, Gawadar, Zangey and Terley area.

The forces are advancing into other areas and have destroyed four Taliban hideouts so far. They have also seized a large amount of ammunition and explosive material.

Meanwhile, at least 13 Taliban were killed and several others injured during the latest military action in various areas of Khyber Agency and Lower Dir. During the operation, eight security personnel were also injured, private TV channels reported.

Ten militants were killed while more than 150 suspects arrested in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency. Officials said the security forces retaliated when Taliban fired at them in the Shalobar area of Bara during the operation, jointly conducted by the army and the Frontier Corps.

In Maidan area of Lower Dir, Bonair Khan, a close aide of Sufi Muhammad, was killed with three other associates as they tried to escape from the army’s Red Fort. It has been reported that Bonair Khan had masterminded several suicide bombings, target killings and attacks on security forces and facilitated the Taliban in various attacks.

Cave: Separately, the security forces also captured an underground cave in South Waziristan Agency that was used as a depot by the Taliban for storing arms and heavy weapons, besides seizing a large cache of foreign-made weapons.

During a visit to the agency, Peshawar-based journalists were taken to the cave at Ziarsar area in Spin Kamar. They were told that the cave had been captured by the Pakistan Army during Operation Rah-e-Nijat.

Major Saleem of the army told the journalists that the security forces had also seized a 22-pound cannon that could strike long-range targets.

He said the seized foreign weapons included anti-aircraft guns, missiles, rocket launchers, mortar guns, hand grenades and land mines.

Also on Saturday, sources said that a patrolling party of the Levies Force escaped a remote-controlled bomb attack in Kotki area of Khar tehsil in Bajaur Agency. They said 19 suspects had been arrested in search operations in the agency.

The sources said a bomb went off during a routine patrol of the LF, while another remote-controlled blast occurred in the Nawagai bazaar.

Meanwhile, the security forces also arrested two suspects from Ghalanai tehsil of Mohmand Agency. According to the agency’s political administration, one of the suspects was arrested from Kashmir Kor by the forces while the second was arrested by the Ghalanai tehsildar. app/daily times monitor/staff report

source: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\12\13\story_13-12-2009_pg7_1

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Fighting in Pakistan kills 7 militants, 2 troops

Fighting in Pakistan kills 7 militants, 2 troops

By HUSSAIN AFZAL

The Associated Press
Sunday, December 13, 2009; 3:50 AM

PARACHINAR, Pakistan -- Pakistani soldiers battled militants in a tribal region close to the Afghan border Sunday, killing seven insurgents but losing two of their own in skirmishes in an area where al-Qaida and the Taliban have long sought sanctuary, officials said.

The fighting overnight in the Kurram tribal region comes amid an offensive by 30,000 Pakistani troops in nearby South Waziristan.

Troops moved into two areas in Kurram on Saturday and engaged in fierce battles that killed 15 Taliban militants and three soldiers, three officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Seven militants and two troops died as fighting raged overnight, they said.

People began fleeing the area Sunday after security forces urged villagers to leave, the officials said.

The U.S. has long pushed Pakistan to retake spots along the border with Afghanistan that have become safe havens for militants. That pressure is likely to intensify now that 30,000 additional U.S. troops are heading to Afghanistan to take on a resurgent Afghan Taliban.

The army launched a ground offensive in South Waziristan in mid-October. The operation prompted a slew of retaliatory militant attacks nationwide that have killed more than 500 people.

source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/13/AR2009121300545.html

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31 more militants killed

31 more militants killed

Sunday, December 13, 2009, Zil`Hajj 25, 1430
Hangu/Bara—At least 31 militants including a top wanted militant commander were killed and huge cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered in security forces fresh offensive in Khyber and Kurram Agency on Saturday.

The operation was conducted in Dargar area of Kurram agency where 4 hideouts of suspected militants and their facilitation were also destroyed. At least 17 militants were killed in the offensive in the same area, sources said.

The security forces are using helicopters and artillery shells during operation against militants belong to banned Tehrrek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Islam. Locals said an important commander of banned organization and foreigners were among the dead.

Fresh troops of security forces are arrived in the area to launch major offensive against the militants in area of Central Kurram agency, sources added.

The forces are facing tough resistance, as militants were using rockets and mortars. During the operation, 3 Personnel of security forces also lost their lives while 8 other sustained serious injuries who have been shifted to hospital for medical treatment, sources said.

In Hangu, the security forces besides arresting 42 criminals including 4 militants have also killed 4 militants. The security forces repulsed attack on their vehicle in Pas Kalay area and retaliated with full force, killing 4 militants.

Arms and ammunitions were also recovered from arrested criminals and militants, said District Police Officer Hangu Abdul Rashid.

In Kurram Agency where operation is being continued to against militants after consecutive terrorists attack in Peshawar, the security forces have killed 10 militants in fresh offensive. The militants were killed in Shalobar area of Bara sub-division, Khyber agency.

The bodies of 14 militants who were killed in exchange of fire with security forces in Shalobar area of Bara Sub-division on Friday presented before the media in fort block.

Capt. Nazir Janjua, who is commanding operation in Bara Incharge Operation, briefed the media men on the occasion. He said the security forces killed 14 militants in retaliatory action on Friday and also arrested some 90 militants.

He also showed weapons, which were recovered, from the slain and arrested terrorists to media. When asked about identification of militants, he said, investigations are underway and we cannot say something about their identity.

Answering to a question, he without taking name of any specific country said that the foreign made weapons were recovered from the possession of militants.

While Chief Lashkar-e-Islam Mangal Bagh has been operation in Bara over the past more than two years, the TTP presence has also become more conspicuous in the area since the launch of operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan Agency by Pakistan army on October 17.—Online

source: http://pakobserver.net/200912/13/news/topstories09.asp

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Sunday, December 13, 2009

15 militants killed in Kurram skirmishes

PARACHINAR – At least 15 militants including a prominent commander Wali Dad were killed, while three security personnel were martyred in clashes between security forces and militants here on Saturday. Seventeen militants and eight security men were also injured during these skirmishes.
According to details, Pak Army and Frontier Corps jointly launched a massive operation against militants in various parts of Kurram Agency. The forces have entered central Kurram Agency from Makhranay, Zangi, Marghan, Dogarnari and other sides. Tough resistance was witnessed at Marghan and Dogarnari sides, as it is believed that local and foreign militants are present there. The forces are being targeted with rockets and automatic weapons.
The forces struck militants’ hideouts with gunship helicopters and artillery and destroyed their four hideouts and a training camp. The forces have got control of various important locations of the militants during the last one-month fight.

source: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/13-Dec-2009/15-militants-killed-in-Kurram-skirmishes

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