20 militants die in Bara assault

PESHAWAR: Security forces carried out an operation against militants in the Kharmatang area of Tehsil Bara, Khyber Agency on Sunday which left 20 militants dead, the army said. Kharmatang area was one of the militants’ strongholds.

Forces along with aerial support pounded the militants’ hideout in the area levelling several of them. A planted device on a road in Chery Sar area in Shlobar blew up. Only the vehicle was partially damaged and no casualties were reported.

At least 24 militants were killed and 18 more injured as security forces pounded positions in Torsamt and Jabbar Kalay localities in Upper Orakzai.

The attack destroyed militant sanctuaries and two ammunition dumps. The forces continued heavy artillery fire on militant hideouts in differnt localities of Mamunzai. Meanwhile, miscreants attacked a security checkpoint with rockets on the outskirts of Peshawar city late on Sunday night. Security forces returned the fire. Both sides used heavy weapons against each other.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 21010.