Operation Zarb-e-Azb: 13 militants killed in military air raids

ISLAMABAD:

The military claimed on Wednesday that 13 suspected terrorists were killed in air strikes in North Waziristan Agency on Wednesday.

The air raids were carried out in the Data Khel area of the restive tribal region, which was considered a stronghold of local and foreign militant outfits before June, last year, said the military’s media wing, the ISPR. At least five terrorists’ hideouts were also destroyed in the blitz. The army claimed that it has cleared majority of the troubled agency of terrorists. However, there are still some pockets in the area which the security forces are now trying to clear.

Meanwhile, a contingent of security officials was on a routine patrol when their vehicle hit a landmine in the Spin Wam area of North Waziristan. In the ensuing explosion, Havaldar Iqbal died on the spot while FC official Hayat was injured.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2015.