Orakzai hazards: Eight militants killed in clash with security forces
In another incident, an explosion in coal mine kills one, injures two.
HANGU:
Eight militants were killed and a security official injured when security forces clashed with militants in the Mamozai area of Orakzai Agency on Sunday.
Heavy gunfire broke out between militants and security forces when security forces tried to advance to take control of the Dolanai area in Mamozai. It was reported that militants put up a tough resistance to the attack. Eventually, security forces used heavy weaponry, forcing militants to flee from the area. Imdad, a security official, was injured in the battle and was rushed to Kalaya Headquarters Hospital in Orakzai.
The clash began at 11am and lasted for three hours. “Security forces waved the Pakistani flag in the Sama bazaar area in Mamozai after gaining control,” the official said, adding that three hideouts of the militants were destroyed.
Security forces had begun advancements into Mamozai several months ago. On September 26, security forces claimed to have recaptured a mountainous area in Mamozai and destroyed several militant hideouts there. Clearing Orakzai has been one of the most troubling tasks for security forces as the area borders the Kurram and Khyber Agencies. Militants infiltrate the Mamozai, Khadizai and Ali Khel areas and employ hit-and-run tactics, easily escaping back to their hideouts in the Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency and other areas in Kurram.
Coal mine blast
In another incident in Orakzai, coal miner Abdur Razzak from Shangla, was killed and two others were severely injured when an explosion occurred inside a coal mine in Doli on Sunday.
Lower Orakzai Agency Assistant Political Agent Fazal Qadir told The Express Tribune that the explosion occurred around 9am inside the Awan coal mine. The blast was caused by the accumulation of inflammable fumes in the mine. The injured, Aleem Shah and Muzamil Khan from Swat, were taken to the Liaqat Memorial Hospital in Kohat.
The political administration has said it will investigate the incident further. More than 15 mines in the area were closed due to fumes of the deadly poisonous gas accumulated inside them.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2012.
Eight militants were killed and a security official injured when security forces clashed with militants in the Mamozai area of Orakzai Agency on Sunday.
Heavy gunfire broke out between militants and security forces when security forces tried to advance to take control of the Dolanai area in Mamozai. It was reported that militants put up a tough resistance to the attack. Eventually, security forces used heavy weaponry, forcing militants to flee from the area. Imdad, a security official, was injured in the battle and was rushed to Kalaya Headquarters Hospital in Orakzai.
The clash began at 11am and lasted for three hours. “Security forces waved the Pakistani flag in the Sama bazaar area in Mamozai after gaining control,” the official said, adding that three hideouts of the militants were destroyed.
Security forces had begun advancements into Mamozai several months ago. On September 26, security forces claimed to have recaptured a mountainous area in Mamozai and destroyed several militant hideouts there. Clearing Orakzai has been one of the most troubling tasks for security forces as the area borders the Kurram and Khyber Agencies. Militants infiltrate the Mamozai, Khadizai and Ali Khel areas and employ hit-and-run tactics, easily escaping back to their hideouts in the Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency and other areas in Kurram.
Coal mine blast
In another incident in Orakzai, coal miner Abdur Razzak from Shangla, was killed and two others were severely injured when an explosion occurred inside a coal mine in Doli on Sunday.
Lower Orakzai Agency Assistant Political Agent Fazal Qadir told The Express Tribune that the explosion occurred around 9am inside the Awan coal mine. The blast was caused by the accumulation of inflammable fumes in the mine. The injured, Aleem Shah and Muzamil Khan from Swat, were taken to the Liaqat Memorial Hospital in Kohat.
The political administration has said it will investigate the incident further. More than 15 mines in the area were closed due to fumes of the deadly poisonous gas accumulated inside them.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2012.