8 security officials, over 30 militants killed in central Kurram skirmish

Security forces had entered a stronghold of militants, it was a counter attack, says official.

PESHAWAR: Eight security officials were killed while 15 sustained injuries when militants attacked a military check post in the Jogi area of central Kurram Agency on Tuesday. Officials claimed to have killed over 30 militants in retaliation.

A security official confirmed the casualties and told The Express Tribune that scores of militants attacked a newly-formed security post in the Jogi area, in which the security forces had entered after a fierce a battle last week.

“The security forces had entered a zone which is considered to be a stronghold of militants. It was a counter attack,” he said.

Helicopters gunships pounded the area and the clash lasted for hours.

Additional troops also joined the combat. “We killed 35 militants in aerial and ground operations,” confirmed officials. “The militant attack was forcibly revolted,” they said.

The Kurram operation has been a lengthy one, for it shares boundaries with Orakzai Agency and North Waziristan on the Pak-Afghan border, making the terrain more difficult to control.

The government has managed to reopen the Thall-Parachinar Highway after a span of almost three years. The recent operation was launched to keep the “fragile peace truce” intact and the road open.