16 militants killed in clashes with troops

SWAT—Gunship helicopters and artillery guns targeted various positions of militants here on Wednesday morning, killing at least 16 miscreants.
Director General ISPR Major General Waheed Arshad said that security forces struck rebel hideouts in different areas of Swat. Four to five miscreants were killed and injuring many others in North of Hazara village, while militants’ positions were also engaged at Shangla top killing four to five militants. There are reports that eight others were killed in separate incidents in the valley.
Artillery was also used in the attack. Troops have been deployed in the area and will be moved when needed, Wheed Arshad said. According to the army statement a check post established by security forces at Hazara Bridge apprehended four militants and recovered number of hand grenades and motorolla radio sets. Security Forces also foiled an attempt which was launched to free these militants, added the statement. Meanwhile an IED attack by militants on a convoy of Security Forces near Batkhela, about 50 kilometers from Mingora, injured eight personnel.
Gunship helicopters and artillery guns targeted various positions of militants in Swat Wednesday morning, official sources said here. In North of Hazara village, militants positions were engaged which resulted into killing of around 4 miscreants and injuring many others, they said.
At Shangla top, miscreant positions were destroyed while killing some 5 militants. A check post established by security forces at Hazara Bridge apprehended 4 militants and recovered a number of hand grenades and motorolla sets. The security Forces also foiled an attempt which was launched to free these hardcore militants. An Improvised Explosive Device planted near Batkhela was also discovered and later destroyed by security forces near Batkhela. In an IED attack by militants on a convoy of security forces near Batkhela at 6:30 hours eight personnel were injured. Security has been placed on high alert in Malakand Division after the imposition of Curfew on Wednesday. Patrolling of personnel of security forces continued across the division.
According to details, traffic was closed on all the major roads of the division and the roads including Dargai, Sakha Kot, Lund and Chakdara have also been closed for every type of traffic. Public had to face severe difficulties and attendance in government and other departments offices remained low. Meanwhile, attack on military conveys by unidentified miscreants at Amandara near Chakdara has left several security men injured.
SSP Dirpine Muhammad Khursid Khan told this news agency that law and order situation in Swat is under control and all the roads leading to Swat have been closed for every type of traffic due to arrival of military conveys. He further told that he is in contact with Army officers in connection with law and order situation, however, the offices of Jamal English Academy Chakdara and Frontier Education Foundation have been closed till further order after the imposition of curfew in the area, he concluded.—Agencies