Mitigating militancy: Forces launch ‘clean-up’ operation in FR Peshawar
ASI, two militants killed in shoot-out day after attack at FC check post.
The operation which started early Thursday morning was ongoing till this report was filed late on Thursday night. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
During a large-scale operation by security forces, two militants and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Mattani police were killed in Sheikh Nala.
The operation which started early Thursday morning was ongoing till this report was filed late on Thursday night.
Security forces and heavy contingents of police launched a search operation in Frontier Region (FR) Peshawar and its adjacent villages after the attack at the Frontier Constabulary (FC) fort on the border of the provincial capital and FR Peshawar. The attack killed six FC men and injured seven.
Residents told The Express Tribune that hundreds of troops of the Pakistan Army entered the area from Mattani early morning and their advance was covered by combat helicopters. A large number of police contingents sealed the entire border area in order to close down escape routes for militants.
Later on Thursday afternoon, two heavily-armed militants exchanged fire with the policemen and security forces, who were searching suspect houses in Sheikh Nala. The militants had sought shelter inside a derelict building. Police commandoes surrounded the house and told them to surrender upon which militants opened fire at the police, killing ASI Daud Khan and injuring FC constable Shah Zeb.
Both militants were also killed in the gun battle. They have been identified as Roohul Amin and Adnan alias Hurara. A security official said both were important commanders of Tehreek-e-Taliban Adezai, an off-shoot of the TTP Darra Adam Khel.
He added Amin’s brother was a wanted militant commander Jangrez, who was accused for the explosion in Badhaber, which killed 18 people last week. “Roohul Amin was involved in the attacks in and around Peshawar city,” said the official.
In FR Peshawar, security forces conducted a search operation in Sabmi Khel, Murad Khel and the mountainous areas of Hassan Khel and Zaka Khel.
“Helicopter gunships are hovering over villages as security forces are engaged in an operation mainly in the mountain ranges,” said a local elder.
Militants also hanged the heads of two FC men on a tree in Sambi Khel. The men were killed in an attack in Urmar on Wednesday. Both the heads were taken away by the security forces for a proper burial.
Residents said militants had abandoned their headquarters in Barzargai, Hassan Khel and had disappeared into the hills hours before security forces could reach the area.
A member of the Adezai Peace Militia Farman Khan said militant commanders Qari Ayub and Jangrez were also present in Sambi Khel and at least one of them was injured in a gun fight with security forces. “These militants have mixed themselves with the civilian population and this is the biggest obstacle for us.”
Meanwhile, security forces demolished a militant base near Hassan Khel area after an exchange of fire.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2013.
During a large-scale operation by security forces, two militants and an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Mattani police were killed in Sheikh Nala.
The operation which started early Thursday morning was ongoing till this report was filed late on Thursday night.
Security forces and heavy contingents of police launched a search operation in Frontier Region (FR) Peshawar and its adjacent villages after the attack at the Frontier Constabulary (FC) fort on the border of the provincial capital and FR Peshawar. The attack killed six FC men and injured seven.
Residents told The Express Tribune that hundreds of troops of the Pakistan Army entered the area from Mattani early morning and their advance was covered by combat helicopters. A large number of police contingents sealed the entire border area in order to close down escape routes for militants.
Later on Thursday afternoon, two heavily-armed militants exchanged fire with the policemen and security forces, who were searching suspect houses in Sheikh Nala. The militants had sought shelter inside a derelict building. Police commandoes surrounded the house and told them to surrender upon which militants opened fire at the police, killing ASI Daud Khan and injuring FC constable Shah Zeb.
Both militants were also killed in the gun battle. They have been identified as Roohul Amin and Adnan alias Hurara. A security official said both were important commanders of Tehreek-e-Taliban Adezai, an off-shoot of the TTP Darra Adam Khel.
He added Amin’s brother was a wanted militant commander Jangrez, who was accused for the explosion in Badhaber, which killed 18 people last week. “Roohul Amin was involved in the attacks in and around Peshawar city,” said the official.
In FR Peshawar, security forces conducted a search operation in Sabmi Khel, Murad Khel and the mountainous areas of Hassan Khel and Zaka Khel.
“Helicopter gunships are hovering over villages as security forces are engaged in an operation mainly in the mountain ranges,” said a local elder.
Militants also hanged the heads of two FC men on a tree in Sambi Khel. The men were killed in an attack in Urmar on Wednesday. Both the heads were taken away by the security forces for a proper burial.
Residents said militants had abandoned their headquarters in Barzargai, Hassan Khel and had disappeared into the hills hours before security forces could reach the area.
A member of the Adezai Peace Militia Farman Khan said militant commanders Qari Ayub and Jangrez were also present in Sambi Khel and at least one of them was injured in a gun fight with security forces. “These militants have mixed themselves with the civilian population and this is the biggest obstacle for us.”
Meanwhile, security forces demolished a militant base near Hassan Khel area after an exchange of fire.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2013.