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Taliban kill 17 troops in South Waziristan

* Military kills 22 Taliban in aerial, ground offensives
* 17 foreigners among those killed by military

PESHAWAR: Stiff Taliban resistance killed at least 17 soldiers in South Waziristan on Thursday, said security officials, as troops killed 22 Taliban in various clashes.

According to the AFP news agency, troops were dragged into fighting when trying to clear Taliban terrorists from Kaniguram. At least 15 soldiers were killed in the clashes, while a roadside bomb killed two soldiers in Sararogha, said the officials.

The military press office earlier said that five soldiers had been killed in fighting with the Taliban.

But army and security officials in the area told AFP that the military death toll was 17 in what would be the deadliest single day for troops operating on three fronts in South Waziristan since going into battle on October 17.

“Fifteen soldiers were killed in the clashes,” an army officer told AFP on condition of anonymity, releasing 15 names. “It is the first time we have seen such stiff resistance,” he said.

Another official said the clashes included “face-to-face fighting”.

22 Taliban: Meanwhile, air and ground offensives killed at least 22 Taliban in Mehsud areas, said officials, adding that jet planes bombed several targets to destroy Taliban hideouts, training centres and other facilities in Makeen and Sararogha.

The officials said there were 17 foreigners among the 22 Taliban killed in the offensives.

“A search operation in Shakai and Kanniguram continues,” said an ISPR statement, adding that troops had seized a huge cache of arms and weapons. agencies

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