November 03, 2008	Monday	Ziqa'ad 4, 1429

KHAR, Nov 2: The security forces killed thee militants and destroyed their hideouts in Nawagai tehsil on Sunday during their advance movement after getting complete control over the strategic Lowi Sam area of Bajaur Agency.

The security forces targeted suspected militant positions in Nawagai and Mamond with mortar and cannon shelling. The troops made advancement to upper parts of Nawagai after strengthening their position in Lowi Sam, official sources said, adding that forces had been facing no resistance in those areas as Taliban had retreated and declared unilateral ceasefire.

The local administration has beefed up security in the region by setting up checkposts and bunkers at sensitive points which are being manned jointly by the paramilitary forces.

Meanwhile, political administration arrested eight more suspected persons for having links with Taliban militants on Sunday during a crack down.

BLAST: A checkpost manned by Salarzai Lashkar men was blown up by unidentified persons with a remote controlled blast on Sunday. However no loss of life was reported in the incident.

The political administration registered a case and started investigation. Elders of Salrzai tribal also announced forming a twenty-member committee to probe the incident. Salarzai tribe elders vowed to give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the incident. They said that such tactics could not dent their resolve to clear the area of the militants and bring peace and tranquility to the region.

They said that their war against handful of militants would continue till its logical end, adding that they were ready to pay what may come in their way to re-establish government writ in the tribal region.

The Salarzai tribe during its two-month campaign cleared 90 per cent area, once a stronghold of militants, of the miscreants. Sixteen Salarzai tribesmen and fifteen militants including two key commanders were killed in the fighting so far.