Troops go missing as NWA toll raises
By Our Defence Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—50 security personnel have reportedly disappeared in battle-ridden area of North Waziristan on Monday. According to ISPR, these security personnel missed during various skirmishes occurred on the other day between state security agencies and local Talibans.
Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) Director General (DG) Waheed Arshad has informed that 60 miscreants were killed and other 35 extremists sustained injuries at yesterday operations.
While talking to a private-run TV channel, DG ISPR contended that fight is going on between warring parties so far.” Still, I am not in a position to say something about the details of missing security personnel, as no success is still reported in establishing contacts with missing security personnel, so you have to wait for time being till the arrival of reliable information”, he added.
Security forces operation against miscreants in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan continued on Monday, claiming the lives of 80 persons, including 20 soldiers. Local sources said that over 60 miscreants and 20 soldiers of the security forces have so far been killed in the operation that started Sunday. After attacks on the forces, ground troops with support of helicopters launched operation against miscreants in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan and targeted hideouts of the militants, official sources said. According to eyewitnesses, clashes between the forces and miscreants were continued in Anso Khel, Khadi, Hyderkhel and Khushhali areas adjoining to Mir Ali till the late night. Several shells during the clashes landed in houses resulting in deaths of several women and children, the witnesses added.
Over 52 people including 12 of same family were killed while dozens other received serious injuries when stray mortar shells struck their houses in different areas of Mir Ali, North Waziristan. However it was unclear who fired the mortars. Forces backed by gunship helicopters and Jet fighters were still pounding militants suspected hideouts and intense gun-battle was still going on between the two sides.
Fierce fighting in areas of Baro Khail, Maski, Esau Khail, Khushali and Hyder Khail were continued in night between Sunday and Monday while various check post of security forces also came under attack in Miran Shah, reported by BBC and Private TV Channels.
The source added that hundreds of villagers have defected to safer areas as several houses were hit by stray mortar shells and the eruption of fighting has disabled electricity and telecommunication systems in the area. Political authorities said that Mir Ali and Miran Shah highway has been closed for all type of traffic while Mir Ali bazar remained close since last two days. 18 people most of women and children have been killed while several sustained serious injuries due to bombardment of helicopters and jet fighters in Khawaja Khel village.
Dozen of same family including women and children belonging to Wazir tribe died and 14 were wounded when a stray mortar shell struck their houses, Private TV Channel reported. 14 people were killed, as shell hit their houses in village Khazi. 3 people in Esau Khail, 2 in Khazmak and 2 in Mir Ali Bazar have been killed in mortar strike incidents. Military sources said that the security forces fired only at targets from which they were being attacked.