17 militants, one soldier killed in two incidents

Soldier, volunteer of local lashkar killed in 2 incidents of violence in Orakzai and Mohamand agencies,

PESHAWAR: At least 17 militants, a soldier and a volunteer of a local lashkar were killed in two separate incidents of violence in Orakzai and Mohamand agencies, security sources said. In both these incidents, 16 militants, five soldiers and four volunteers were also injured.

Sources said that a security official was killed and five others were injured in a mine blast in Goyen area of central Orakzai Agency. The deceased was identified as Jawad Hussain Turi and the injured were identified as Noorullah Yousafzai, Ilyas Khattak, Shahid Yousaf, Kitab Khan and Saeed Gul.

The area where the blast occurred is situated close to Yekh Kandao, where a few days back at least six soldiers, including a colonel, were killed in a mine blast.

According to security sources, gunship helicopters pounded the militant hideouts in the Khadezai, Mamozai, Mushti Kandao, Dapar Pharai areas of Upper Orakzai Agency killing at least 12 militants, leaving six others injured. They also claimed destroying three militant hideouts in the aerial strikes.

Attacks on security forces have registered a rise over the past few days in Orakzai agency, where a military operation is being carried out since March this year.

This was the third attack on security forces over the past few days. In separate incidents, five militants and a volunteer of a local lahskar were killed and ten militants and four lashkar volunteers were injured in a clash following an attack by militants at the local lashkar in Anbar tehsil of MohmandAgency.

The area where the clash occurred is situated about 50 kilometres north of the agency headquarters in Ghalanai. Sources said that the suspected militants attacked volunteers of a local lashakr in the area, as security forces rushed to help the victims.

At least five militants were killed and 10 others were injured in this attack, while one volunteer was killed and four others were injured.

The military onslaught against militants in Kurram Agency continues as 12 terrorists have been killed in the latest incident of aerial firing. Sources say the gunship helicopters pounded militant hideouts in Mashkai Kandao, Mamozai, and Khadezai areas.

Security forces have been engaged in an operation in Kurram Agency for the last 11 months.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2010.