BUNER/SWAT: A senior Taliban leader was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in militancy-hit Buner district on Tuesday.

Officials said that security forces conducted a search operation after a tip-off about the presence of Taliban militants in Bajkatta village of Gagra tehsil.

During an intelligence-driven search operation, security personnel were fired upon by militants from a house in the area. The security personnel returned fire, killing Bakhti Raj of Koz Shamnal Chaghorzai.

A security man was injured in the encounter and was taken to the Combined Military Hospital. Security personnel also arrested Rashid, owner of the house.

Sources said that Bakhti Raj was a financier of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan activities in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Karachi. He was wanted by security forces in connection with several acts of terror in the country.

Bakhti Raj had narrowly escaped a pre-dawn raid on his residence a month ago, but his son Farhan and relative Wajid, son of Bakhti Mand, were killed in exch­ange of fire. Tajiroon, wife of Bakhti Mand, suffered bullet injuries.

MINGORA: Security for­ces arrested a militant at the Qambar checkpost on Tuesday.

Rahimbad police said Iram Khan of Odigram, Swat valley, was caught at the Qambar check-post during a routine search. He was taken to an undisclosed place for interrogation.

Sources said the accused was wanted by the administration and security forces. He had remained in the custody of law enforcement agencies a few months ago, but was released. However, he was re-arrested on Tuesday.

Published in Dawn February 18th , 2015

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