Lashkar kills seven militants in Dir
By Syed Zahid Jan and Anwarullah Khan
UPPER DIR/KHAR: Seven suspected militants were killed in a clash with a Lashkar in Patrak area of Upper Dir on late Saturday night.
Local people said the clash took place in Shekhan Khwar near Patrak town. However, some of them said that 10 militants arrested earlier by Chitral police had been handed over to the Lashkar.
Two of those killed were identified as Fatehzar and his son Dilaram. One militant was injured and another ran away. The shootout triggered a controversy and police denied having received 10 militants.
DPO Ijaz Ahmad said that the militants were killed in a clash between Taliban militants and armed villagers. He denied reports that the militants were those who had been arrested in Chitral.
“The 10 militants arrested in Chitral were not handed over to us so there is no question of killing them,” he said.
After the incident, 20 militants came out in Bar Doog area and set on fire 130 logs owned by local people. They torched a house and kidnapped a man identified as Faqir Gul Mulla.
BAJAUR: About 27 militants, including a key Taliban commander, were killed when security forces attacked militants’ positions in different areas of Bajaur.
Military planes bombed Dara and Banda in Salarzai, some 33 kilometres from Khar. Officials said the area was a Taliban stronghold and had a training camp, arms depot and bunkers.
The officials said an arms depot and four bunkers were destroyed by the bombing. Fourteen militants, including a key commander, were killed in the attacks.
The commander, officials said, was an Afghan national and an explosives expert. Thirteen militants were killed when security forces pounded their hideouts in Babra, Charmang, Hashim and Cheenar areas of Nawagai sub-division.
Sources said Taliban commander Qari Zaiur Rehman complained of indifferent attitude of TTP vice-chief Maulvi Faqir Mohammad and accused him of not helping them.
They said Maulvi Faqir hesitated in sending reinforcements because he was trying to enter into a peace deal with the government with the help of tribal elders.
Troops, meanwhile, advanced to Charmang and took control of Tangi and Kotki areas and set up checkposts.An ISPR press release said five soldiers were injured on Saturday and Sunday in Malakand.
It said that 15 small machineguns, one sniper rifle, one 8-MM rifle, communication equipment and grenades were recovered. Troops secured areas around Peochar, Kharkai, Kharkarai and Biha.
A heavy exchange of fire took place between security forces and terrorists in Biha valley south of Chuprial. Troops seized 20 small machineguns, a G-3 rifle, two launchers with seven rockets, rifles, two grenades and 6,000 rounds of SMG and two MM rifles.
Some foreign currency has also been found in terrorists’ hideouts in Biha. Security forces secured areas around Barko Sar, Roringar, Nalkot, Wainai towards Biha, Bartana and Pushtunat. Troops are now trying to clear Tirang, Thana, Allahdand and Batkhela.
Source: Dawn
Date:6/22/2009
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