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41 Taliban killed, 50 injured in military action

* Troops consolidate positions in South Waziristan
* 16 Taliban killed in Bajaur, 20 in Hangu and Orakzai
* 23 held in separate operations

RAWALPINDI/HANGU/ KHAR/SWAT: At least 41 terrorists were killed and 50 injured in military operations in different parts of FATA and NWFP on Sunday. Two security personnel were killed and 13 wounded in clashes with Taliban, while security forces rounded up 23 terrorists.

South Waziristan: According to an ISPR release, security forces carried out a search operation at Point 2728 near Pash Ziarat, Khandai Sar and Tabai Sar. They defused 10 IEDs on the Jandola-Sararogha axis. Five terrorists were killed and a soldier injured in a clash.

Security forces consolidated their positions on the Shakai-Kaniguram axis, and cleared Khawasai, Ghara Sar, Kashai and Chag Sarwek and Sarwek near Sararogha and defused five IEDs on the Razmak-Makeen axis.

A total of 20 compounds and 14 caves were also cleared in Zinda Narai, Point 1094 near Siplatoi and Abdullah Noor Kas near Kotkai.

Bajaur: A group of 30 to 40 terrorists armed with heavy weapons attacked an army post in Rashakai, Bajaur, AFP quoted local administration official Adalat Khan as saying.

“Troops effectively repulsed the attack, killing 11 terrorists,” he said, adding two soldiers were wounded in the clash. The remaining terrorists fled, leaving behind their weapons. Fighter jets also bombarded terrorists’ hideouts in Mamoond, killing five Taliban.

Taliban have recently stepped up attacks on security forces and government installations in Bajaur, considered a stronghold of Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked extremists.

The violence has surged since Pakistan launched a major offensive in the Taliban bastion of South Waziristan on October 17. Officials say the aim is to distract the army’s attention from South Waziristan.

Hangu & Orakzai: Around 20 Taliban were killed in ground and air strikes in the Shahu Khel area of Hangu and Orakzai Agency. Gunship helicopters pounded terrorists’ hideouts in Shahu Khel, killing 13 Taliban, while security forces arrested 15 terrorists during search operations in the area. One soldier was killed and eight security personnel injured in the clashes. The injured were taken to the Kohat Combined Military Hospital. Another 50 Taliban were injured in the offensive, APP reported.

Pakistan Air Force fighter jets also bombed Debori in Orakzai, killing four Taliban. Two militants’ hideouts were also destroyed. Security forces also destroyed an illegal FM transmitter at Mamozaki.

Separately, two policemen were injured when terrorists detonated a remote-controlled bomb near a police patrol at Makhu Khora.

Swat: In Operation Rah-e-Rast in Swat and Malakand security forces apprehended four suspects at Goal, Shaheed Sar Charai near Fatehpur, Rahatkot and Najigram near Barikot. Four terrorists surrendered to security forces at Shangwatai, near Matta and Tiligram.

Separately, police in the valley claimed to have seized rocket launchers and suicide jackets from a raid on a house in Kabal tehsil. Swat District Police Officer Qazi Muhammad Farooq said suicide jackets; rocket launcher shells and small weapons had been recovered during the raid in Cigram village. Ibrahim Khan, father of two Taliban, was also arrested in the raid. staff report/agencies

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