Peshawar, Mar 17: Thirteen Taliban militants were gunned down and seven more captured by a ‘lashkar’ or tribal militia while the rebels were trying to abduct some persons in northwest Pakistan today, official sources said.
Armed members of the lashkar opened fire at two vehicles in which the militants were travelling to foil the attempted kidnapping in Barizone area of Kurram tribal region.
The militants belonged to a faction of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan led by Mullah Toofan.
The lashkar encircled the vehicles from all sides before firing at the militants. Thirteen rebels were killed instantly while seven more were captured after being injured. The captured militants were taken by the militia to an unknown location.
Local residents said the militants had come to the area to abduct some persons.
Soon after the clash, the militants mounted an attack on a security check post at Ghlo Ghundi in Kurram Agency and injured two security personnel.
The two sides exchanged fire for several hours.
In a separate development, 38 pro-Taliban militants, including one of the most wanted rebels in the Bajaur tribal region, surrendered to the government in northwest Pakistan today, officials said.
The political administration of Bajaur Agency said
that Khalifa, an important militant commander who is at number seven in the list of most wanted persons in the region, was among those surrendered to the authorities.
The militants laid down their arms following the intervention of a jirga or council comprising elders of the Mohmand tribe.
The rebels who surrendered pledged they would lead a peaceful life in future and become loyal to the country and the government.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST