Bajaur braces for major operation

PESHAWAR - Amidst conflicting reports and claims regarding casualties, preparations are being made for a full-fledged military operation against alleged militants in Bajaur Agency where clashes between the security forces and Taliban went unabated for the third consecutive day on Friday.

According to officials, at least 70 militants have been killed whereas Taliban spokesman Maulvi Omar claims that 15 security personnel have been killed, besides abducting 26 others. The security forces continued targeting the suspected hideouts of alleged militants with artillery and gunship helicopters in Loyee Sam, Khazana and other areas. A number of jet fighter planes were also witnessed.

On the other hand, Maulvi Omar claimed attacking a convoy of security forces in Khazana late Thursday night. He said that 15 personnel were killed and 26 other were made hostages. He also claimed lifting four vehicles of the security forces and three of them were destroyed with explosive materials. He maintained that more than 80 personnel of the security forces were still under siege in Loyee Sam area.

The administration is dispatching more contingents of military and paramilitary troops to different places of Bajaur and also to the adjacent Malakand Agency, Dir and Mohmand Agency.

Meanwhile, as many as 15 persons were killed and several others got injured as a result of renewed sectarian clashes in Bilyameen area of Kurram Agency on Friday.

The killed persons, besides others, included Sajjad Hussain, the brother of MNA Sajid Hussain. The officials and elders in Parachanar, headquarter of Kurram Agency, have confirmed 15 killings.

Meanwhile in different areas of Khyber Agency, at least six persons were injured when unknown miscreants attacked the containers carrying goods for the US-led allied troops operating in Afghanistan.

The officials informed that Taliban opened fire against 17 containers parked at Torkham on the night falling between Thursday and Friday. Tyres and windowpanes of containers were damaged, however, the goods loaded on containers remained safe.

Four drivers were injured who were later shifted to hospital where their conditions are stated to be out of danger. In another attack on a container near Prang Sum Check Post, two persons including the driver of the container were injured.

Meanwhile, one policeman was killed and two others were seriously injured when unknown miscreants attacked Mattani Police Station with rockets the other day.

The rockets landed inside the police station and as a result, one policeman, Muhammad Saleem, was killed on the spot while his two other colleagues, Wajid and Tariq, got injured. Mattani Police confirmed the incident.

It is worth mentioning here that Mattani Police launched an operation against the miscreants two days ago in which 14 militant were arrested and dozen of their hideouts were blown up.