Pak forces kill 35 Taliban in Bajaur air-strikes

{image-airstrike_470x317,0_24102008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Peshawar, Oct 24: At least 35 Taliban were killed in the Bajaur Agency when Pakistan security forces carried out ground and air strikes there on Thursday, Oct 23 Frontier Constabulary (FC) sources said.

Jet fighters continued targeting suspected Taliban hideouts in Loyesam and Charmang, they said and added that eight associates of Taliban commander Maulvi Omer were killed in an attack on a hideout in Badan. Ground forces pounded the Taliban positions with artillery late on Wednesday, Oct 22. Meanwhile, curfew was imposed in Sadiqabad, Sunday Morr and Nawakaly areas of the agency headquarters Khar. Security forces 'are constantly making advancements' the FC officials said, and had 'strengthened their positions' in the strategically important Loyesam town establishing checkpoints.

Meanwhile, a Salarzai tribal militia burnt down houses of Taliban men, including commander Qari Gulrez. The tribe has banned the entry of relatives of Taliban in the areas it controls and has said it would expel, fine, and burn houses of those who sheltered Taliban. Besides, the political administration razed the house of an unidentified Taliban commander in the Sidiqabad locality.

ANI