Islamabad, September 01: Pakistan army today killed 40 militants, including two top commanders, in the restive Khyber tribal region bordering Afghanistan and destroyed four of their bases in a major operation against the banned Lashkar-e-Islam group.
The operation was launched this morning against elements who had challenged the writ of the government, Tariq Hayat Khan, Political Agent of the semi-autonomous tribal region, said.
Curfew was clamped in the region before the military operation was launched. Khan told newsmen in Peshawar that security forces were conducting a search operation to clear the Bara area in Khyber Agency of militants and armed groups.
He said militants fleeing the Army’s crackdown in Swat, Buner and Bajaur areas of the northwest were entering Bara and the operation would continue until the area was cleared.
The homes of several militant commanders and four bases were demolished by troops. He said 40 insurgents were killed and 43 others were arrested, Geo TV said.
Khan said militant commanders Abdul Rehman and Murad were among those killed. Three soldiers of the Pakistan Army were killed in the military and three security personnel were also injured.
Frontier Corps officials said an operation had been launched in the area after a gap of a month.
Lashkar-e-Islam spokesman Zar Khan demanded that the operation should be halted immediately.
—Agencies