11 troops, 30 militants killed in NWA clashes

ISLAMABAD—Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said that at least eleven jawans of security forces perished in the ongoing operation in North Waziristan while twenty five to thirty miscreants have also been killed in this operation.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Interior Minister said that causalities occurred on the both sides in ongoing operation in Khati Kali in the area of North Waziristan Agency where in at least eleven personnel of security forces perished, out of them six on Thursday while five died on Friday
“There were nine causalities of Army including a Major while two Jawans of Frontiers Corps (FC) also died”, he noted. Responding to a question regarding the causalities of the extremists in the operation, Sherpao said, “exact number of causalities of the extremists cannot be determined but, roughly, it might be between twenty five to thirty in number”.
He further said that security forces faced strong resistance in the area of Maulana Sadiq Noor where fighting still continues . “The extremists were ordered to surrender on loudspeaker but they have not done it yet”, he added. Responding to another query regarding the coordination of public in connection with the operation, he said, “People of the region cannot be taken into confidence because of the apprehensions that miscreants might escape”.
Interior Minister also told that as soon the news of miscreants was being received, Military immediately informs the political agent of the respective area to talk to the miscreants adding “if resistance is posed from hideouts, then counter firing is must”.
The Minister also reiterated the stance of President Gen Pervez Musharraf that backbone of the Al Qaeda network has been broken. “ The remaining terrorists which are still present in tribal areas, they are divided into small groups and terrorism in the form of small episodes would continue here”, he noted.
Operation continued against the miscreants on the second consecutive day amid the reports that four jawans of security forces embraced martyrdom and the  miscreants suffered heavy loss of life in a trade of firing in the area of Khatti Kalli at Meeran Shah Friday. Operation will continue today (Saturday). Besides ground forces, army helicopters are also being used in the campaign which hit the enemy targets.
When contacted, Brig Shah Jehan , director ISPR told Online that operation against miscreants was on in Khatti Kali area, 7 kilometers from Meeran Shah. He expressed regrets to give details about the weapons being used in the operation. He, however, confirmed about martyrdom of four jawans of security forces. The campaign has also caused heavy loss of life to miscreants, he added. He announced that operation would continue till the objectives are achieved.
Military sources told that miscreants are scattered all over the area of Khatti Kalli and the majority of them are aliens who run into hundreds. They are giving tough time to security forces, sources added. Pakistani army helicopter gunships pounded a suspected militant hideout in mountains along the border with Afghanistan on Friday but there was no immediate word on casualties, security officials said.
Pakistani security forces launched an attack on the suspected hideout in the North Waziristan tribal region late on Thursday following a clash with militants.
Pakistani officials say scores of Al Qaeda-linked militants are hiding out along its border with Afghanistan. Hundreds have been killed since Pakistan launched a sweep to clear them out early last year.—Agencies