September 12, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 11, 1429

KHAR, Sept 11: Security forces intensified their offensive in Bajaur on Thursday, killing dozens of militants.

Reuters news agency quoted a security official as saying that 80 to 100 militants, including foreigners, and two soldiers had been killed in clashes.

Ground forces backed by helicopter gunships, planes and tanks pounded suspected militant positions in Rashakai, Lowi Sam, Bai Cheena, Banda, Kerala, Damadola and other areas, damaging dozens of hideouts and shops.

Local people said a number of non-combatants were also killed.

They said security forces had entered Lowi Sam and Rashakai but were yet to fully secure the areas which had been under militants’ control for some time.

The forces bombed the office of Taliban’s ‘Darul Kafala’ in the commercial area of Inayat Kallay.

According to a tribesman, about 30 shops were destroyed in the attack. He said the Taliban office was located in a commercial centre which was completely destroyed.

He said Lowi Sam and Rashakai had turned into ‘ghost towns’ where dozens of houses had been destroyed.

Officials said the offensive had been launched at the request of tribesmen to clear the area of militants.

Hundreds of families were trapped in the embattled areas because of continuous shelling and an undeclared curfew.

Khar, the regional headquarters, remained peaceful with Levies personnel patrolling the main bazaar.

Officials claimed that the political administration’s writ had been restored in Khar and adjoining areas.

Sources said three bodies, believed to be of security personnel, had been found in the Tallay area of Salarzai. The victims were between 30 and 35 years of age, they added.

There is a severe shortage of foodstuff and medicines in the region and telephone lines in various areas have been disconnected.