Peshawar, May 27: Continuing its crackdown on Taliban militants in the volatile tribal region close to Afghanistan, Pakistan army used ground and air attacks killed 50 militants, as the rebels struck back wiping out a pro-government tribal leader, along with his wife and son.
 Using helicopter gunships and heavy guns, the Army pounded militant hideouts at Dabori and Ghiljo, killing 15 militants and wounding 15 more, security sources said. Five militant hideouts were destroyed in the bombardment.
 The security forces also shelled Kasha area, a stronghold of the Taliban near the border with Afghanistan, killing another 25 militants. Ten militants were killed in combing operations in nearby areas.
 A soldier also died in the exchange of fire in the encounter, in which 15 other militants were injured.
 Armed with automatic rifles and grenades, Taliban fighters stormed the home of a pro-government tribal elder Mullah Malik Tor, killing him, his wife and son and later blew up his house.
 “Mullah Tor and his family died in the attack, while another woman was injured,” Bajaur Agency’s Assistant Political Agent Muhammad Jamil Khan said.
 Tor had recently raised an anti-Taliban militia in the Chaharmang valley and had returned to the area recently after army cleared it of Taliban hideouts.
 Security officials have claimed that over 700 militants have been killed since the army launched an offensive against the Taliban in Orakzai Agency earlier this year.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 27 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 IST