13 militants, seven civilians killed in Khyber
LANDIKOTAL/BARA: Security forces on Monday claimed to have killed at least 13 suspected militants in attacks on their hideouts in Bazaar Zakhakhel area of Landikotal, Khyber Agency, while seven members of a family were killed and four others injured when an artillery shell struck a Hujra in Sra Shaga area in Jamrud Tehsil.
Security forces shelled the suspected militant hideouts in Kobikhel area of Bazaar Zakhakhel, FC sources said. At least 13 militants were killed and few others were injured, the FC sources claimed but without giving the names of the dead militants.
Independent sources said three of the slain persons were guests. The villagers at Kobikhel denied the presence of the militants in the area and said that all the slain persons were local residents.
Meanwhile, acting on a tip-off, security forces shelled the suspected hideouts of the militants in the mountainous Chora area with artillery from Forte Slope Camp in Bara Tehsil. One of the shells hit the house of Aqal Jan in Sra Shaga area, killing seven persons, including three children, and injuring four others of his family.
The dead included head of the family Aqal Jan, his three cousins Didar Khan, Minat Khan, Sifat Khan and three children, whose names could not be ascertained. Four other members of the family were also seriously injured in the incident.
Soon after the incident, the people of the nearby area rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies and injured from the rubbles. The injured persons were rushed to the nearby hospital where their condition was stated to be critical.
Official sources said that the Chora area was shelled as security forces had credible information about the presence of militants in the area. They said that a total of 12 artillery shells were fired that landed in different places in Chora and one hit the Hujra of Aqal Jan in Sra Shaga area.
Source: The News
Date:6/30/2009
” 
” 
” 
” 
