Pakistan kills 21 militants in Tirah

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan forces have killed 28 militants in the restive north-western tribal region, intensifying the campaign against them after the Peshawar school massacre that left 148 people dead, mostly students.
A security official on Saturday said that jet fighters targeted militants in Tirah valley of Khyber, which killed 21 militants and destroyed their seven hideouts.
Private TV channels reported that Peshawar attack “mastermind” Umer Naray was also killed in the attack but it was not confirmed. Separately, the security forces killed five terrorists in Darra Adam Khel near Peshawar in a targeted operation.

Also, the police and paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) attacked a Taliban facilitator Sayyar Khan in Machini area near Peshawar, leading to a gun battle with the militants. Senior police officer Ijaz Ahmad told media that Khan, another militant, a policemen and an FC soldier were killed in the fight. So far, 152 militants have been killed in counter-terror operations since the Peshawar attack on Tuesday.

Army chief General Raheel Sharif last evening visited Khyber and met the troops on the front lines. He also met with Special Services Group (SSG) soldiers or Commandos who are spearheading the targeted operations. Army said Gen Sharif told the soldiers that the fight against militants would continue till last of the rebels was eliminated.

The security forces have launched a hunt for rebels after the Peshawar attack. Army has vowed to take out Tehreek-e-Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah nicknamed the “Radio Mullah”, who is said to be in contact with the Peshawar school attackers during the assault. Pakistani security forces on Friday killed at least 67 militants in a countrywide swoop.