PESHAWAR – As many as nine militants were killed while five others were injured when security forces pounded suspected militant hideouts with gunship helicopters and fighter jets in Mamozai area of Orakzai Agency on Thursday. One soldier and another seven militants were killed in a clash in South Waziristan.
Sources revealed that the security forces, backed by gunship helicopters and fighter jets, started bombing Taliban hideouts early in the morning.
The airstrikes destroyed four hideouts of militants, in upper Tehsil of Ghalljo in Mamozai area, leaving nine killed and five injured. The security forces also launched search operation in Khwezai, Ronchki and Akhunkot areas and recovered huge quantity of explosives, landmine devices and rockets. Meanwhile, the political administration officials visited the affected offices of Tehsil Ghaljo and assessed the loss, the sources added.
AFP adds: A clash between troops and militants killed a soldier and seven militants in South Waziristan.
Fighting erupted after troops launched a search operation in a bazaar where Taliban militants are frequently seen in Wana, the main town of South Waziristan.
“One soldier and seven militants were killed in the operation, one building was later bulldozed in the bazaar,” a security official in Peshawar told AFP.
Another security official confirmed the clash and added that troops were backed by gunship helicopters.