Islamabad, September 08: More than 40 Taliban were gunned down in fresh fighting with security forces in Pakistan’s lawless tribal belt, where three persons were killed today in the second US missile strike in as many days.
Meanwhile, during search and clearance operations in the recently-retaken Swat valley in the northwest, troops captured 30 militants, authorities said.
At least six militants were killed when helicopter gunships pounded Taliban hideouts in several areas of Orakzai tribal region. At least three hideouts were destroyed in the attacks.
Troops killed 24 militants in clashes at Bara in the Khyber Agency today. The security forces also destroyed two training camps and two hideouts in the same area, the Frontier Corps said.
Ten militants were killed when security forces pounded their hideouts with artillery overnight, the Frontier Corps said. A Taliban centre, five suspected militant sanctuaries and the homes of 12 militants were shelled in various areas of the Agency.
Four security personnel were injured when their vehicle was targeted with a remote-controlled bomb in Bara this morning. The main market in Bara shut down after the blast, which created panic among local residents.
—Agencies