Pakistani fighter jets on Tuesday killed at least 17 militants, including a Taliban spokesperson, and destroyed hideouts in the Mamozai area of the Orakzai tribal region, officials said.
“We had information that militants gathered there and were planning attacks so we launched the attack,” a senior government official told Reuters. He said 17 militants were killed and six wounded in the Orakzai operation.
According to AFP, local government official Javed Khan said, “Four militant hideouts were destroyed in the bombing.”
Residents in the town of Mamozai, where the air strike took place, said several helicopter gunships were hovering overhead hours after the attack.
Khan said there were reports that a Taliban commander Tariq, who uses one name and was leading militants in Darra Adam Khel tribal area between the cities of Peshawar and Kohat, could also be among the dead.
“We have received reports that Tariq might have been killed in today’s air strike, but we cannot confirm it immediately,” Khan said. US officials are now also increasing pressure on Pakistan to mount a major offensive in North Waziristan.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2011.
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