Militancy in Orakzai: 10 militants killed in air raids

Security forces destroy two militant hideouts in air raids.

PESHAWAR: Fighter jets targeting terrorist sanctuaries bombed their targets in Lower Orakzai Agency on Saturday, killing 10 militants and injuring four others in the process, security officials revealed.

The bombing sorties were carried out in the Lower Tehsil of Orakzai Agency in Bezotkhel and Istrikhel areas, a security official said requesting anonymity. These are said to be situated about 35 kilometres east of the Lower Orakzai Agency headquarters in Kalaya.

Earlier this week, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Governor Barrister Masood Kausar narrowly escaped a deadly attack when Taliban militants fired two rockets at a jirga called by the governor. At least eight persons were wounded in the assault.

Meanwhile, Taliban militants denied military claims that 10 militants had been killed in Saturday’s bombing. A purported spokesperson for the Taliban, Hafiz Saeed, called up reporters in Orakzai and denied that any militant had been killed.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2011.