Pakistan army kills foreigners in Waziristan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Dec 31, IRNA -- Pakistan Security forces said on Friday that they had killed several foreigners in the troubled South Waziristan tribal region.

An army statement said that the security forces carried out an operation in South Waziristan Agency Friday afternoon against a hideout of foreign terrorists in which several people were killed.

The statement did not provide any information about the nationality of the militants.

Pakistani forces carried out major ground and air operations in South Waziristan in 2009 and cleared most of the areas from the Taliban militants.

Pakistani military declared victory over the Taliban militants in early 2010 but the militants are still hiding in remote and mountainous regions.

South Waziristan, which borders Afghanistan, is the birthplace of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP.

Baituallah Mehsood had formed the TTP in December 2007. He was killed in a US drone strike in August 2009. His deputy Hakimullah Mehsood is now leading the TTP and the security officials believe he is still hiding in South Waziristan.

Another splinter group of Taliban is being led by Maulvi Nazir in South Waziristan which has a peace deal with the Pakistani government. The US also accuses Nazir of sheltering foreign militants.

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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30741899