18 militants killed in mortar shelling in Pakistani tribal region
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, March 7, IRNA -- At least 18 militants including a commander were killed on Wednesday in mortar shelling by Pakistani security forces in north western tribal region, official sources said.
The sources said the security forces pounded militant hideouts with mortar shells in Kago Kamar and Tajika areas of upper Orakzai Agency.
The officials claimed that six among the militants who died in the shelling were foreigners – two Arabs and four Tajiks.
Officials added that an important militant commander was killed in clashes with the security forces in the Ghundaki area.
Orakzai Agency, the lone tribal region of Pakistan which does not have borders with Afghanistan, had been once the stronghold of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP.
The security forces had established posts in different parts of Orakzai agency after expelling the militants of most of their former base. But they are still hiding in several remote and hilly areas and launch attacks on the forces.
Many TTP leaders also took shelter in Orakzai after they were expelled as the result of major offensive by Pakistani forces in South Waziristan tribal region in 2009.
The TTP started activities in parts of Orakzai agency in 2008. Orakzai had been relatively peaceful tribal region before the Taliban activities there.
Taliban have also carried out attacks on the Shiite Muslims and pro-government tribal elders in Orakzai agency and have killed hundreds of them over the past few years.
Local tribesmen have also formed ‘Lashkar’ or private militia against the Taliban who are supporting the security forces.
**1412
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 80029053
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
