The latest phase of the operation in Khyber Agency, close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, has killed 80 militants and injured over 100.
Inter Services Public Relations Director General Maj Gen Asim Bajwa said today evening that armed forces had inflicted heavy casualties on militants as the army follows up its series of aerial strikes to clear the area close to the Afghan border.
He added that the operation has dislodged militants from bases, forcing them to flee across the border into Afghanistan.
Maj Gen Bajwa said that seven soldiers had also embraced martyrdom in the fighting. “Operations will continue with full force till total terrorist elimination from these areas,” he added.
At least seven suspected militants were killed and ten others were injured when jet planes bombed their hideouts in Nary Baba, Mazatal and its surrounding areas in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency earlier today.
Local sources in the area said that jets struck several militant hideouts in the mountainous areas, destroying them.
The latest bombing was part of the second phase of Khyber operation, Khyber-II. It was started several days ago, in which the forces were targeting militants including the Mangal Bagh-led Laskhar-e-Islam, the TTP and others hiding in the valley.
All three tehsils of Khyber Agency including Landi Kotal, Jamrud and Bara, where militants are believed to have taken up refuge, are in the cross-hairs of the military.
Operation Khyber-I, which was conducted in Bara and adjacent areas, has ended, and IDPs are being repatriated to cleared areas.
Prior to the announcement by the military, there were rumours of a massive clash in Tirah, with some speculating that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Mullah Fazlullah had been caught in the midst of the fighting.
However, the army did not confirm that any ‘high value target’ had been hit.
