Pakistani forces kill 60 militants in tribal region
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, May 19, IRNA -- Pakistani security forces have killed upto 60 more militants in a tribal region where thousands of troops are engaged in a major air and ground offensive, sources said Wednesday.
Two soldiers were also killed and nearly 20 others were injured in clashes in Orakzai tribal area, they said.
In mid-March the security forces launched little publicized operation in Orakzai agency, the stronghold of Taliban-militants.
Officials believe that hundreds of Taliban militants have also taken shelter in Orakzai agency after they fled South Waziristan due to major operation there.
Army claims that some 700 militants have been killed since the operation has been launched. There is no independent confirmation of the army claims as journalists have no access to the region.
The security forces, backed by fighter planes and gunship helicopters, have intensified attacks in Orakzai agency in recent days.
The security sources claimed to have killed upto 100 militants over the past three days, the claims could not be independently verified.
Orakzai is the only tribal area of Pakistan’s seven tribal regions, which has no border with Afghanistan. It mostly consists of mountains where the militants are believed to have established training centers.
Meanwhile a rocket attack by suspected militants on a van injured a paramilitary soldier and three policemen in the outskirts of southwestern city of Quetta Wednesday morning, officials and witnesses said.
The van was also partially damaged near a police station in Hazar Gangi area, they said. A high-powered electricity pylon was also partially damaged in the rocket attack, police said.
In another rocket attack, Wednesday morning, a government building was slightly damaged in Khuzdar city of Balochistan province, officials said.
No group claimed responsibility for both attacks.
**1422
End News / IRNA / News Code 1125349
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