Thaindian News

Islamabad, Jun.13 (ANI): At least ten Taliban insurgents were killed and six others injured as Pakistani fighter jets pounded militant hideouts in Federally Administered Tribal Areas’ Orakzai Agency.

According to reports, Pakistan Air Force’ fighter jets targeted several Taliban hideouts in the Upper Orakzai region.

Scores of terror camps and hideouts were destroyed in Ghaljo, Anjeerki, Nandar Mela, Mullah Batai and Dabori areas of the agency, The Daily Times reports.

Meanwhile, security forces nabbed a top Taliban commander Abdul Mateen Khan from Kohat.

The Pakistan Army had claimed that its offensive in the Orakzai region has been successful, and that people who were displaced due to the military operation could now return to their home, but a large part of the agency is still believed to be held by the Taliban.

Earlier this month, s statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s visit to Orakzai marked the end of the military operation in the region, and that people displaced due to the war could expect to return to their homeland soon.

“Kayani’s visit to Orakzai Agency marks the successful conclusion of operations in the agency. He appreciated the professional conduct of the operation which has cleared the agency of terrorists,” the ISPR’s statement said.

However, locals said that the battle is far from over, as extremists are still holding a large part of the agency.

ISPR spokesperson Major General Athar Abbas also admitted that the war is not over yet.

“The operation in Orakzai was almost over, but stabilisation operations may continue.The consolidation phase has begun and the clearance of population areas will follow soon,” Abbas said.

He said that the Taliban fighters were offering “quite stiff” resistance and that it is necessary to use air power, as it “is hard for ground troops to attack Taliban positions on mountain tops.” (ANI)