Troops backed by gunship helicopters pounded suspected Taliban fighter hideouts in Bajaur on Thursday, killing 14 people, officials said. Troops attacked several houses, which the Islamist militants had used as bases to attack security forces on the outskirts of Khar, ecurity officials said. "At least 14 insurgents were killed and several others wounded," one security official told a foreign news agency. A local government official Farooq Khan confirmed the casualties. "Security forces have seized control of Taliban-held areas after killing 14 militants," he told foreign news agency.