Security forces kill five militants in N Waziristan

NORTH WAZIRISTAN: At least five militants were killed in a clash with security forces in the restive North Waziristan Agency on Saturday.

Officials said a group of militants launched an attack on a security check post in Data Khel area in the early hours of Saturday. Security forces repulsed the attack and killed at least five militants in the ensuing gunfight.

According to unconfirmed reports, a soldier also died during the clash but official sources did not confirm the news. Due to lack of media access in the area, confirmation of official claims from independent sources is not possible.

Official said that an extensive search operation was mounted in the whole area of Data Khel after the clash security forces, which is regarded as a bastion of militant commander Hafiz Gul Bahadar.

Security forces had started a military operation, Zarb-e-Azb, against home grown Taliban in June last year after a government-sponsored peace initiative crumbled following a deadly attack on Karachi airport.

Until now, more than 1,000 militants have been killed in the offensive, which will continue till the last militant is killed.

Amidst continued military action against militants in Data Khel region, repatriation of internally displaced people to certain pockets in Mirali sub division is also in progress.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th, 2015.