November 10, 2008	Monday	Ziqa'ad 11, 1429

KHAR, Nov 9: Fourteen militants and four non-combatants were killed when air force jets bombed militants’ hideouts in Bajaur on Sunday.

A political administration official said the air strikes targeted Taliban hideouts in Sparay, Kharkay, Damodola, and Choptra areas of Mamond tehsil, killing 14 militants and injuring 10 others.

Local people said that four non-combatants were also killed in the bombing. But military sources denied any civilian casualty and said that Taliban positions, including bunkers and tunnels had been attacked.

They said a huge cache of weapons stored in underground bunkers were destroyed.

Sources also said that troops were poised to advance to Inyat Kalley. After capturing the Inyat Kalley valley, the forces would be able to effectively restrict the movement of Taliban.

The militants fired two rockets on a security checkpoint near the Bajaur Sports Complex in Seray area. However, the rockets missed the target.

Meanwhile, the Salarzai and Mamond tribes will hold separate jirgas on Monday to prepare a plan for expelling the Taliban from their areas.

The political administration has set a three-day deadline for Afghan refugees to leave the areas of Mamond and Khar or face a crackdown.

Notices have been issued to tribal elders, asking them to expel the refugees from their areas and warning of stern action against both the refugees and those harbouring them if the order was not carried out.

Earlier, the political administration had given one month to all Afghan refugees to vacate the troubled areas.

The government and local people accuse the refugees of being involved in violence and criminal activities in the region. The political administration has seized the property of Afghan refugees.