Tirah Valley death toll reaches 70

PESHAWAR:

As the death toll from Saturday's jet fighter bombing of Tirah Valley reaches 70, aid cheques are being distributed amongst the valley's injured and affected.

Checks of upto Rs 20,000 are being handed out, as some 80 injured are shifted to various hospitals in Peshawar. Jamrood district's assistant political agent, Rehan Gul Khattak visited the injured.

On the ground, however, residents are migrating towards safer areas, as political officials summon a jirga on Monday to address the situation on the ground. According to the ISPR, a successful operation in neighbouring FATA agencies, has seen militants fleeing to Khyber agency.

Tirah valley has become a stronghold of Lashkar-e-Islam, and a hub for fleeing militants. Pakistan has launched several operations in Khyber agency in the past two years to flush out militants.