KHYBER AGENCY - At least 34 suspected militants were killed in the airstrikes conducted by military jet fighters in Nangrosa, Sandana, Tarkho Kas, the remote and bordering areas of Tehsil Jamrud, Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency on Wednesday.
In a press release, the Inter-service Public Relation said that in a precise and intelligence-based action, suspected hideouts of the militants were targeted. Besides demolishing eight sanctuaries, stock of arm and ammunition was also destroyed in the air offence, sources said. However due to far-flung areas and meagre communication sources, it could not be confirmed of the militants groups.
It is to be mentioned here that the government has declared to establish its writ in Bara and announced conclusion of Khyber-One Operation in Bara last day, and repatriation of displaced tribesmen will be started on March 20.
Agencies add: The Taliban and Lashkar-e-Islam militant groups are based in Khyber. The strikes coincided with the appointment of the country’s new air chief Sohail Aman, who will on Thursday take over from his predecessor Tahir Rafiq Butt upon completion of his three-year tenure.
The military began its latest offensive in Khyber in October 2014, four months after a similar operation in the North Waziristan district which was triggered by a bloody Taliban attack on Karachi airport that sank faltering peace talks.
Both conflict zones are off-limits to journalists, making it difficult to verify the number and identity of those killed.
Staff Reporter from Islamabad adds: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday reiterated his resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country.
He stated this during his visit to newly-established National Counter-Terrorism Training Center, Pabbi Hills. The army chief said operations against terrorists must continue fearlessly.
Gen Sharif said such training programme would rid Pakistan of all kinds of terrorism. “We have resolved to purge Pakistan of all kinds of terrorism. Let’s join hands, operations must continue fearlessly,” he said.
The army chief said, “Coordinated intelligence mechanism is a must to pre-empt terror incidents.” He stressed that cooperation by masses in indicating suspects was critical in the war against terrorism.
First batch of the law enforcement agencies has been trained by army, Director General ISPR Maj-Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa tweeted on social media.
The COAS said that army was doing its best to train all law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and build their capacity to chase terrorists out of their hideouts whether urban or remote areas.
The first batch of law enforcement agencies comprising 200 personnel from police and elite force, 200 personnel from FC/Rangers, Strategic Plan Division (SPD), Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) and 100 ex-servicemen of Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy has completed anti-terror training. Senior military, police leadership and home secretaries of provinces were also present.