Islamabad: Pakistani security forces
backed by fighter jets on Friday pounded Taliban hideouts in
Orakzai and Swat regions in the restive north-west killing 14
militants and injuring eight others, officials said.
Fighter jets bombed militant hideouts in the Orakzai
tribal region and killed 10 militants. Eight others were
injured when the jets dropped bombs, officials said.
Two hideouts and four vehicles were destroyed.
Officials said the aircraft targeted militant
hideouts but local residents claimed women and children were
among the dead and injured.
Four militants were killed in fierce clashes with
security forces in the northwestern Swat valley this morning,
officials said.
Troops launched an operation in the area after
getting intelligence reports about the presence of militants.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said earlier this
month that security forces could launch an operation in
Orakzai Agency.
Officials said the Taliban have fled to Otrakzai
Agency from South Waziristan, where 30,000 troops are
conducting a major offensive against militants.
Military officials claim over 600 militants have been
killed in Waziristan since October.
PTI
