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Pakistan forces open new front against militants

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Dec 30, IRNA
Pakistan-Militants
Pakistani security forces opened a new front against militants in a tribal region near border with Afghanistan early Tuesday, officials said.

The offensive was launched in Jamrud, a main town in the tribal Khyber Agency, the area located on the main highway between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The operation was initiated after the fast growing activities of four militant groups, including the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the region.

Main high way between Pakistan and Afghanistan was closed as the army used artillery to pound positions of the suspected militants, local administrative officer Tariq Hayat told a news conference.

Curfew was imposed in the area and the people were asked through loudspeakers to stay indoors.

"Anyone who shows resistance will be dealt sternly," Hayat said.

He did not say anything about the casualties in what he called the first round of offensive.

But witnesses said that three people including two children were killed in shelling by security forces.

Hayat said that several people were arrested and they will be punished under the British-era laws in the tribal regions, known as Frontier Crimes Regulations.

"The offensive has been launched to secure the Pak-Afghan highway," Hayat said.

Pakistani forces are already engaged in offensives against militants in the Bajaur tribal region and Swat valley and with fresh offensive in Khyber agency, the forces opened a new front.

Four militant groups are operating in Khyber Agency namely TTP of Baitullah Mehsood, 'Lashkar-e-Islami', ' Ansar-ul-Islam' and 'Amr bi Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkir'.

Officials said that the Pak-Afghan highway had been insecure due to activities of militant groups and NATO supplies trucks and oil tankers are attacked regularly on the same route.

Incidents of kidnapping, including of foreigners have also increased in the area, forcing the army to launch offensive, officials said.

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