Islamabad: At least 16 militants were killed and 10 others injured in operations by Pakistani security forces backed by gunship helicopters and jets in the restive Bajaur and Khyber tribal regions on Wednesday.
Officials of the paramilitary Frontier Corps told state-run APP news agency that air strikes were carried out in Nawagai and Mamond sub-districts of Bajaur Agency.
The troops destroyed several centres of Taliban fighters at Charmang, Chinar and Zorbandar and inflicted heavy losses on them.
The security forces also used artillery to target militant positions in Charmang, Babara and Chinar. More than a dozen militants were killed and 10 others injured in the strikes, the officials said.
In another operation at Bara in Khyber Agency, four militants were killed by security forces. A Frontier Corps trooper sustained injuries in the fighting.
Law enforcing agencies have strengthened their positions in the strategically important Loisam region in Bajaur Agency and established check posts in its surrounding areas to check the movement of militants.
Local political officials in Salarzai sub-district said a tribal 'lashkar' or militia destroyed houses of 12 militant commanders in the mountainous Bandai area, which is considered a Taliban stronghold. The house of Taliban commander Qari Gul Raz was among the houses set on fire by the lashkar.
The Salarzai tribal jirga has banned entry of relatives of militants and warned strict action will be taken against tribesmen who provide shelters to relatives of Taliban fighters.
In the nearby Khyber Agency, seven militants including a commander were apprehended by the Frontier Corps. In the Kohat region of the North West Frontier Province, police arrested 32 foreign militants including four Persians, a Uzbek, 10 Tajiks, six Afghans and a Hazara tribesman.
The men were heading towards Quetta from Peshawar without any passport and other identity papers, officials said.
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