18 killed in Mohmand Agency assault

Security forces pound militant hideouts in different tehsils.

PESHAWAR:

At least 18 suspected militants were killed and 22 others injured when gunship helicopters and fighter jets bombed militant hideouts in different parts of Mohmand tribal region on Tuesday, security officials said.

Security forces attacked militant sanctuaries in different parts of Anbar, Baezai and Safi tehsils. Sources said that at least 10 safe havens were destroyed in these aerial assaults.

Local sources said fighter jets bombed militant hideouts in Safi and Beazai tehsil areas, while gunship helicopters were used in Anbar. Locals said at least three people, including a woman, were killed in Shamsha area of Safi tehsil.

Mohmand Agency situated north of the provincial capital, Peshawar, has been restive for the past few years.

In December last year, a twin suicide attack on a checkpoint outside a World Food Program (WFP) food distribution point in agency headquarters Ghallani had killed more than 40 people and injured dozens of others. Another attack on a political compound in the Ekka Ghund area in July had killed more than 70.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26th, 2011.