At least nine people have been killed as a US drone fired missiles in South Waziristan agency. Two US drones fired five missiles at different hideouts of Commander Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Mullah Nazir in Shah Alam and Raghzai areas near Wana in South Waziristan, Defence sources said. They said that both hideouts have been completely destroyed in the attack.
Mullah Nazir is a former member of Wana peace committee and this is the first time when US drones targeted his hideouts. Sources said that seven bodies have been recovered from the rubble so far, while it is being expected that more bodies can be under the debris of the destroyed terrorist hideouts.
At least 34 terrorists have been killed and seven others arrested during the last 24 hours of ongoing 'Operation Rah e Raast' launched to wipe out terrorists from Malakand division, who were challenging the writ of the government. Five security forces personnel were injured in the operation, said a spokesman of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) here on Thursday.
Security forces in the operation carried out around Mingora have recovered 15 rifles and arms and ammunition from the hide-outs of escaping terrorists, the spokesman said, adding that five suspected terrorists were also arrested including incharge Madrassah Faiz during search operation at Shahpur.
Security forces have also arrested two suspected terrorists at Shewa and recovered one light machine gun, 60 rounds, one TT pistol and one binocular from them, he said. Security forces have successfully cleared the area around Bridge-2, Kabbal and Kotlai and during exchange of fire between forces and terrorists, 12 terrorists were killed while five soldiers were injured, he said.
Security forces have killed six terrorists in Tutan Banda area and have cleared this area from terrorists and are now consolidating their position in this area, while in an encounter during clearance operation in Shamozai area, forces have killed ten terrorists, he said.
During search operation in Nimazgai area of Upper Dir, an exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces occurred, resultantly six terrorists were killed, he added. He said that so far Army has distributed 4,517 tonnes rations, including relief items collected from all Corps Headquarters, civilians and NGOs amongst the IDPs of Malakand. About 21,587 cash cards amounting Rs 539.675 million have been distributed among the IDPs, he said, adding that a new camp for IDPs named "FAMEELO" is being established in Jalozai.