October 28, 2008	Tuesday	Shawwal 28, 1429

KHAR, Oct 27: Five suspected militants were killed and several others injured as security forces continued pounding militant hideouts in the Bajaur Agency on Monday.

Sources said that heavy mortar and artillery shelling targeted suspected positions in parts of Khar and Nawagai tehsils.

The forces strengthened positions in the region and continued their advance towards militant strongholds.

Meanwhile, the Salarzai tribes have urged the government to continue the military operation against militants in the region.

Speaking at a press conference in Khar on Monday, former MNA Shahabuddin Khan, Malik Fazal Karim, Anwar Zeb Khan and Malik Mohammad Younas said that Salarzai tribes would cooperate with security forces in their offensive against militants.

They said that the operation should continue till militants were eliminated and the state’s writ was restored to all parts of the restive region.

They said that due to militants’ activities thousands of families had been displaced and were living in miserable conditions in camps.

They said some leaders were trying to convince the government to hold talks with militants for political gains. These elements, they added, had forgotten that militants did not respect the law of the land and were involved in anti-state activities.