30 killed in Orakzai as troops destroy hideouts

PESHAWAR: At least 30 militants were killed and another 32 injured as warplanes destroyed six militant hideouts in the Orakzai tribal region.

According to government officials, security forces targeted militant hideouts in several areas of tehsil Ismail Zai, including Ghilji, Ghauzgarh and Tali Rabi.

Local administrator Jahanzeb Khan said the attacks targeted militants, who had fled an army offensive last year in South Waziristan Agency.

Khan said the attack was in retaliation for a roadside bomb explosion that killed two soldiers in Mushtimela of Lower Orakzai Agency on Saturday.

Security officials said troops would keep advancing in northern parts of Orakzai, as part of the operation that began four months ago.

Meanwhile, Nasim Shah, an administrator in neighbouring Kurram Agency, said militants opened fire on a passenger vehicle, killing two women and wounding four other people.

Associated Press quoted Shah as saying that the militants carried out the attack because they were frustrated by their inability to muster support in Tabertan village, where the shooting occurred. (With additional input from AP)

Published in the Express Tribune, May 31st, 2010.