Security forces kill 18 militants

PESHAWAR: At least 18 militants were killed and 13 others injured on Saturday when warplanes bombed Taliban positions in Upper Orakzai Agency, security sources said.

Seven hideouts were also destroyed in the blitz. Sources said that the planes bombed Arghanju, Torsimat, Dray Chautai and Janray areas in Upper Orakzai.

Aerial bombing of militant hideouts has been a common occurrence in the violence-plagued region, where a military offensive was launched in March. This operation was launched following reports that militants fleeing the military operation in South Waziristan had entered Orakzai. In April, the Orakzai operation moved focus to Upper Orakzai after security forces claimed to have cleared Lower Orakzai. Last month security forces had claimed victory in the operation against militants but said that “stabilisation” operations would continue. The offensive has displaced thousands of tribesmen, who have taken shelter in camps and in their relatives’ homes in the districts of Kohat, Hangu and Peshawar.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 18^th, 2010.