Army kills 16 militants in Bajaur
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Oct 16, IRNA
Pakistan-Army-Militants
Pakistan security forces pounded hideouts in a tribal region near the Afghan border on Wednesday killing at least 16 rebels with links to al Qaeda and the Taliban, officials said.
The attacks took place in the Bajaur. "Troops fired artillery and mortars onto hideouts of rebels in Loisam, Rashakai, Chinar and Babra areas, killing 10 militants and wounding eight others," a security official told IRNA.
Six other militants were killed by helicopter gunships in the same area, added the official whose name was not reported.
There was no way to independently verify the tolls.
The official also said a curfew was imposed Wednesday in Khar, the main town in Bajaur, as part of the military operation.
All shops and offices were closed, the roads were empty, and all residents were ordered to remain indoors.
The military has said that the fighting in Bajaur has been some of the heaviest since Pakistan joined the US-led "war on terror." It said more than 1,000 rebel fighters have been killed since it launched the offensive, including al Qaeda's operational commander in the region, Egyptian Abu Saeed Al-Masri.
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