Troops kill 14 Taliban

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