Orakzai Operation: Jets kill 15 Taliban militants

PESHAWAR:

Pakistan military jets bombed militant hideouts in the Upper Orakzai area early on Thursday, killing at least 15 Taliban insurgents, officials said.

The jets targeted and destroyed four compounds in the rugged terrain near the Afghan border.

“Two war planes were sent to the area early this morning after reports from local intelligence sources that militants from Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were hiding in the mountainous region,” a senior military officer told AFP.

“The bombings targeted Khadizai, Samarbazar and Bermela areas and destroyed four hideouts,” he said, adding that at least 15 militants were killed.

Local security officials confirmed the air strikes and the casualties.

Independent confirmation of the death toll was not immediately possible as the tribal region is barred for journalists.

Upper Orakzai is the scene of frequent clashes between security forces and militants while government troops are in control of its lower reaches. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2012.