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33 militants killed in Khyber Agency

* Helicopter gunships, fighter jets pound militant positions, destroy hideouts in Bara
* Jamrud authorities offer conditional talks to militants

Staff Report

PESHAWAR: At least 33 militants were killed when security forces targeted two militant centres – Tarkhokas Camp and Narai Baba Markaz – on the sixth day of ‘Operation Bia Daghalam’ in Khyber Agency on Sunday, said security sources.

The sources said that both the centres had been destroyed in the offensive. “Security forces ... targeted Tarkhokas Camp [and] Narai Baba Markaz,” said the Frontier Corps in a statement. “Both centres and six vehicles ... [were] destroyed. Thirty-three militants ... [were] killed.”

The AFP news agency quoted Frontier Corps spokesman Major Fazl Rehman as saying that helicopter gunships and fighter jets strafed the militant boltholes, with the strikes targeting the Lashkar-e-Islam.

Meanwhile, a militant was killed and nine arrested and two hideouts destroyed in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency, said security officials.

The officials said that houses and centres had also been destroyed in Narahaybaba and Darkho areas.

Also, two kidnapped people were recovered from Jamrud tehsil of the agency.

Separately, sources said the political authorities of Jamrud had offered conditional talks to militants through tribal elders.

The sources told Daily Times that the authorities had put down two conditions along with their offer for talks: the surrender of all those challenging the writ of the state and a ban on the display and sale of arms in Bara Bazaar.

Although LI spokesman Haji Zar could not be contacted for comments, the sources said the group would not accept the offer.

The sources also told Daily Times that helicopter gunships pounded LI hideouts in Tirah valley. A curfew imposed in the area was eased until 4pm.

Troops also destroyed militant hideouts in Sipah and Shalobar areas of Bara. Thousands of civilians are fleeing the latest military operation against militants in Khyber Agency.

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