At least 9 militants killed, 3 injured in South Waziristan ongoing military offensive

As many as nine militants have been killed and three injured in skirmishes with the security troops, as Pak army winding up the first phase of South Waziristan offensive, Rah-e-Nijad, a private TV reported. The troops, after intense battle, have secured key boltholes of Taliban insurgents, and advancing towards Makeen, Ladha and Aasman Minza areas of SWA, with heavy bombardment by gunship helicopters and jet fighters. The Pakistan Army on Wednesday laid siege to Ladha town during the ongoing operation, on a day that saw fierce street battles with the Taliban. Security forces advanced into the terrorists stronghold, the town of Ladha, amidst heavy clashes and street-to-street fighting, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Athar Abbas said. He said the forces were engaged in intense fighting with terrorists and had so far killed at least 10 Taliban. The army also cleared major part of Sararogha, where they killed at least 16 Taliban. Seven soldiers were injured in the fighting. They also secured Prato Narai and Point 16242, west of Sararogha.