Peshawar: A soldier was killed in a roadside
bomb blast in Pakistan's restive tribal belt on Thursday, even as
troops rounded up over 50 suspected militants during
operations in the northwest of the country.
Militants targeted security forces with an improvised
explosive device at Mandal Nala in Bajaur tribal region,
killing a soldier and injuring another.
Security forces secured several areas in the region and
captured four suspected militants.
Army and paramilitary Frontier Corps and Frontier
Constabulary troops jointly launched an operation codenamed
'Spring Cleaning' against militants in the tribal belt of
Bora-Pastawana and Walai Kandaho near Peshawar, said a
spokesman for the Frontier Corps.
Troops apprehended 20 suspects and occupied dominating
heights during the campaign. Five of the arrested suspects
were critically injured in clashes with the troops.
Security forces also established a strong presence in the
Jani Khel, Babu Khel and Tor Chappar valleys.
In the Khyber tribal region, three suspected militants
were apprehended from different areas of Bara sub-division.
Arms and ammunition were recovered from a truck during
routine checking near Torkham in Khyber Agency.
In the Mohmand tribal agency, militants blasted an IED in
Bian Khel area, though there were no causalities. Security
forces immediately cordoned off the area and apprehended 22
suspects.
Security forces arrested another four militants,
including Commander Musa Khan alias Gul, during a search
operation at Kabal in the restive Swat district.
They were taken to an undisclosed location for
interrogation, officials said.
Troops also destroyed the homes of the four militants.
Sixteen suspected militants surrendered to security
forces in Bajaur Agency.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 19:29