Security forces with air cover by fighter jets and helicopter gunship on Tuesday launched a major offensive against terrorists in Tehsil Bara of Khyber Agency titled as 'Khokh ba Desham' (severe punishment to rival), killing 18 terrorists and injuring many others.
Talking to Business Recorder, defence sources said helicopter gunship of Army Aviation and PAF fighter jets were providing air cover to the ground troops during the massive military operation in tribal area, just a few miles away from Peshawar.
On the first day of the operation, security forces pounded and destroyed a number of militant hideouts in Gorgary and Lunday Kalay areas on the outskirts of Bara, besides blasting 12 vehicles used by terrorists, sources said, adding that during the air-strike many FM Radio stations owned by terrorists were also destroyed. Sources said Pakistan army arrested six terrorists after taking control of Gorgary and hoisted the national flag there.
Two children were killed while four persons including a woman were wounded when a mortar shell hit a house in Mamanzo village, near Khar bazaar, they said, adding that the political administration has imposed indefinite curfew in the area. Meanwhile, the security forces recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition during operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan on Tuesday and arrested 2 terrorists from village Zinda near Janata.
According to the Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Athar Abbas, security forces recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition from Khawasai and Hisar Rogha near Janata. The army also launched search operation at Spinkot, Khuni Mor and Madijan.
About 40 compounds were cleared and eight IEDs were defused by security forces while conducting search operation at Pash Ziarat and Fort, Kam Narakai. He said militants fired six rockets at Lakki Ghund near Pash Ziarat, which was effectively responded by security men. Security forces established link with Marobi Raghazi and defused 10 IEDs during clearance operation. A checkpost was established by the Army at Dwagare near Kabutar and cleared Toda China Khula area defusing six IEDs.
About the relief activities, the ISPR spokesman said 14,741 cash cards have been issued to displaced families of Waziristan. Whereas, during operation Rah-e-Raast at Swat and Malakand, three terrorists voluntarily surrendered to security forces near Bishbanr and Mingora. During a search operation at Kuza Banda and village Zormandai near Palai, security forces arrested five suspects.