October 07, 2008	Tuesday	Shawwal 7, 1429

KOHAT, Oct 6: Security forces have claimed to have arrested eight accomplices of local Al Qaeda militant Shah Iran who was killed in a recent missile attack by a drone in Miramshah.

The arrests were made when troops raided Shah’s house in Darra Adamkhel’s Akhorwal area. They were been taken to Spina Thana and later moved to some other place for interrogation.

Security forces also destroyed in Shni Kalay the house of commander Arif who was allegedly behind the killing of 15 security personnel and hijacking of five army ammunition trucks early this year. He and his cousin Tariq are among most wanted militants having links with Al Qaeda.

A number of government employees, security personnel and a Polish engineer kidnapped from Attock are believed to be in their custody.

According to an ISPR press release, troops launched a major offensive on Monday in Tor Chappar. All exit routes were blocked and militants’ hideouts were attacked with artillery from the Kohat side.

Tribal volunteers also arrested several suspected militants and handed them over to the army.

Kohat DCO Siraj Ahmed told Dawn that the volunteers raided the house of militant commander Shafique in Akhorwal and arrested his two lieutenants.

He also said that the volunteers had killed three militants in Geedarano Kalay, Mazidkhel and Darra bazaar during a night patrol.