Shelling kills 13 militants in Orakzai and Kurram

Three security officers injured; residents flee to safer areas.

PESHAWAR: At least 13 militants were killed and three security officers were injured in an operation by security forces in Upper Orakzai and Kurram tribal belt, security sources said on Thursday.

Sources said the shelling was targeted at the Akhund Kot, Barlas, Addu Khel and Torsamat areas of the Upper Orakzai tehsil from security bases in the Satarsam, Samana, Shahukhel and Shanawari areas.  They said that eight militants were killed and three hideouts in the mountains of Mamozai, Upper Orakzai agency were destroyed.

In a separate incident, five militants were killed and three security personnel were injured in a clash that erupted between security forces and militants in Musozai, Central Kurram Agency.

The claims could not be independently verified as access to the area has been blocked.

According to sources, a large number of people left their homes in Mir Qalam Khel, Addukhel, Torsamat, Akhundzadagan Killay, Arghaju, Talay and Ashraf Masih Killay areas fearing a possible military operation.

They said that those leaving Mamozai have had to pass through the difficult mountainous terrain of Mandaqi and Zavia Killay because of the closure of main roads to the southern Hangu district.

The operation against militants in the Orakzai Agency entered its 16th day on Thursday and more than 180 militants have been killed, while more than 70 others had been injured, so far.

Mamozai is considered to be the last strong-hold of the militants close to the Terah valley of Khyber Agency and sources say, security forces in central Kurram re-launched “minor scale targeted operations” after a number of violent incidents in the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 2^nd, 2011.