23 Militants Killed , 19 injured in Orakzai and Kuram Districts

KALAYA: Security forces stepped up action against terrorists in Orakzai Agency and the adjacent Kurram Agency on Saturday, killing 23 militants and injuring 19, sources said. Troops backed by helicopter gunships targeted militant positions in different areas of Orakzai Agency, destroying several hideouts. The sources said that 18 militants were killed and 12 injured in the shelling. The forces intensified the operation after a lieutenant-colonel and five soldiers lost their lives in a roadside bomb blast on Friday. A search operation was conducted in Ghundai area and landmines and ammunition were seized. Paramilitary forces pounded suspected positions in central tehsil of Kurram Agency. Five suspects were killed and seven others were injured, officials said. The claim could not be verified from independent sources. Meanwhile, local people killed a man in Chinarak area when he was allegedly planting an explosive device along a road. The area residents said that the man was captured and explosive devices were found in his possession. He was shot dead. AP adds: A local government official confirmed that air strikes had killed 12 suspected militants in the Orakzai tribal region. Local government administrator Aurangzeb Khan said Saturday’s air strikes also wounded six militants. An Internally displaced person of Orakzai agency who is now living in Peshawar told NP correspondent, that the government claims are just lies and fraud with the people. Terrorists are promoted by the government and US CIA and they are growing in the tribal areas. Source Daily the Dawn, the Frontier Post Peshawar