Pak Taliban take control of suburbs in Khar

Khar, Aug 11: After a fiery battle on Sunday, Aug 10 in which seven persons were killed and more than 20 injured, the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), the Taliban's unit in Pakistan, reportedly assumed control of a 15-km stretch of land, from Khar agency headquarters to the Jaar area.

Fighter aircraft and helicopter gun-ships pounded militant hideouts in the Khar Agency after paramilitary troops withdrew from the Taliban stronghold of Loyesam following three days of fierce clashes. Two helicopters and two fighter jets targeted Taliban hideouts in Loyesam, Bando, Rashakai, Tang, Jaar, Haji Lawang, Yousafabad and Charmang areas until 4 pm on Sunday.

About 40 houses were destroyed during the bombing. Taliban fighters attacked the bombers with anti-aircraft guns in the Carela and Tang Khata areas, reported the Daily Times.

Meanwhile, hundreds of armed Taliban militants dug trenches in Loyesam along an eight-km stretch of the strategic road leading to Peshawar. Taliban also took control of temporary checkposts in Yousafabad, Haji Lawang, and Jaar abandoned by the security forces. They blew up an abandoned checkpost in Jarmola Kilay.

The Taliban dug trenches just a furlong away from the Bajaur Scouts headquarters in Khar and occupied a bridge in Jaar, witnesses said and added that most of the agency is now under Taliban control.

ANI