Six militants, four civilians killed in Bajaur

Khar, Feb. 18 (ANI): Pakistani troop driven artillery and helicopter gunship killed six Taliban militants and four civilians in northwest tribal area bordering Afghanistanon Tuesday.

During the military fire, the helicopter gunship pounded underground bunkers of militants outside Khar, the main town in the Bajuar tribal district, killing six, local government official Farooq Khan said.

"Six militants were killed when helicopter gunships and artillery fired shells at their underground bunkers," the Dawn quoted Khan, as saying.

Separately, a woman and three men were killed, while four others got injured when a rockets attacked a house, paramilitary barracks and a school.

The rocket attacks created panic in the town, and all markets and government offices were shut down, residents said.

Pakistan's northwestern tribal belt is suffering from war-like conditions, after Pakistan Government's secret deal with America to crush Islamic extremism on its border along with Afghanistan.

But, Pakistan has been blamed by the US and Afghan officials who say it is not doing 'enough' to stop militants crossing the border to attack western troops.

Islamabad, however, says the ongoing Bajaur offensive, like other military operations elsewhere in the northwest, is proof of its commitment to crushing insurgents. (ANI)