Five civilians killed in Pak military shelling in Bajaur Agency

Peshawar, Sept 26 : Five civilians, including women and children, were killed and several others injured when Pakistan military launched air strikes at the fleeing tribal families, mistaking them for militants at Gang village in Salarzai Tehsil of Bajaur Agency, last evening.

Two gunship choppers started shelling the fleeing tribal families after militants fired missiles on Civil Colony in Khar where the political administration had convened a tribal Jirga, The News quoted tribal sources as saying.

They said that the missiles on the colony were fired from Baba picket in Khar Tehsil and the choppers started shelling on tribesmen who were fleeing their homes via a road in Gang area of the almost militant-free Salarzai Tehsil.

According to tribal sources, around 400 families fled homes during fierce bombing by jet fighters and gunship helicopters and artillery shelling on suspected hideouts of militants in Mamond, Inayat Kalley, Mulla Said Banda, Charmang, Tang Khatta and Loisam areas.

"Since the government clamped a curfew for an indefinite period, the tribesmen living in the troubled spots have been using the only road that passes through Gang area of Salarzai Tehsil to shift their families to safer places in the settled districts," said Ghaniur Rahman, a tribal elder.

ANI