14 armed Pakistani militants, 10 civilian killed in military operation
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Aug 21, IRNA
Pakistan-Fighting
At least 14 militants and 10 civilians have been killed in the ongoing military operation in Pakistan's Bajaur tribal region on Wednesday, officials and locals said Wednesday.
A government official said that armed militants launched an overnight attack on a security forces ' check post at Charmang, a town some 22 kilometers, from Khar, the center of Bajaur.
He said the security forces launched counter attack, inflicting casualties on the militants.
Taliban denied casualties but locals tribesmen said that 14 militants were killed when gunship helicopters and artillery shelled their positions.
An official conformed that four civilians were killed when army helicopters bombed Zur Band area near Khar.
Locals said that six more civilians were killed in bombing at Ghundo and Dudo villages. There was no official conformation of the deaths.
Taliban denied deaths of their fighters and claimed they have killed 25 security men and captured five.
Local officials said that a large number of armed militants have been killed and only civilians died but the locals say that death toll of civilians is high.
More than two hundred thousands of people have been displaced due to fighting and moved to other cities.
The government and political parties have established camps in different cities in the northwest and a large number of displaced families have also gone to other provinces.
All educational institutions and major markets are closed since the operation has been launched against the militants earlier this month. There is no electricity in the area for 10 days.
The people who are still living in the area are facing shortage of water and food items.
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