LANDI KOTAL: At least 16 suspected militants were killed and 35 others arrested on the second day of a military operation in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency on Wednesday.
Commander of the operation Brigadier Fayyaz told journalists in Jamrud that security forces had faced stiff resistance in Akkakhel and Kohi localities, but cleared the areas after a clash which left several militants dead.Journalists were shown hundreds of AK-47, 12-bore, .303 and 7mm rifles, machineguns, airguns, pistols, rocket-propelled grenades and thousands of rounds seized from militants’ bases and an arms market in Bara.The arrested men, including pro-administration tribal elder Malik Duran Gul Malikdin Khel, were also brought before the journalists.Khyber Agency’s Political Agent Tariq Hayat said Malik Duran had been arrested for violating curfew and he was later released.Mr Hayat said that Bara-based militant organisations were getting financial support from abroad and had links with the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.He said security forces had seized a large quantity of drugs from militants’ bases.He said two explosive-laden vehicles had been found at the house of Lashkar-i-Islam leader Sabeel, adding that these were intended to be used in suicide attacks in Peshawar.The houses of militant leaders Sabeel, Hastam, Murad, Habib, Kashkol, Tayyab and Saifoor were demolished and the two vehicles were blown up.Mr Hayat said the operation would be expanded to other areas in Khyber Agency.‘We do not have any deal and will not have any deal with anyone who challenges the government,’ he said.
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