27 Taliban militants killed by Pak forces

{image-Taliban militants killed by Pak forces_13102008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Peshawar, Oct 13: Pakistani security forces claimed to have killed 27 Taliban, including 12 bombers, in an air-strike in the Orakzai Agency, here on Sunday, Oct 12. The Frontier Corps (FC) described it as a 'highly successful action.'

"In a highly successful action in Orakzai Agency, a combat aviation strike killed 27 Taliban," a statement from the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters said and added that those killed included two important Taliban commanders. Credible sources confirmed that 12 persons among those killed were 'would-be suicide bombers,' the Daily Times quoted the FC statement as saying. Meanwhile, according to the paper, relations between the Ali Khel and Mamuzai tribes have worsened following a suicide attack targeting an anti-Taliban jirga of the Ali Khel tribe on Friday, Oct 10. The Ali Khel tribe is against the Taliban, while the Mamuzai tribe is silent on openly opposing the Taliban in the area, said sources.

In separate bombings in the Bajaur Agency, as many as 13 Taliban and three members of a tribal lashkar were killed in fighting and bombing by aircraft, on Sunday. Helicopter gunship and jet fighters targeted Taliban positions in Kotki, Charmang and Chinar areas of Nawagai tehsil, killing 13 Taliban and injuring several other, officials said. Separately, three members of the lashkar were killed in clashes between the Taliban and volunteers of the Charmang tribes, said the locals.

ANI