Clashes Kill Ten Alleged Militants

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Clashes Kill Ten Alleged Militants
September 14, 2008
Associated Press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistani security forces taking part in fresh clashes near the Afghan border killed 10 suspected militants and wounded 25 others Sunday, a government official said.

More than 100 people, most of them militants, have been reported killed in the fighting in Bajur tribal region in the last five days. The region is a suspected hideout of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and his No. 2, Ayman al-Zawahri, and it has been the focus of a major Pakistani military operation as well as ongoing U.S. concern.

Security forces used helicopter gunships, fighter jets and heavy artillery to attack suspected militant positions Sunday in the Loi Sam, Rashakai, Tang Khata and Gollokass areas of Bajur, said Iqbal Khattak, a senior government official.

"In the fresh operation that started this morning security forces killed 10 more militants, he said. "This figure can go higher as the fighting is going on."

The government said late last month that it would cease military operations in Bajur for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, but it reserved the right to retaliate against insurgent activities. It was unclear Sunday if the offensive would continue through the rest of Ramadan.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/clashes-kill-ten-alleged-militants.html