Pakistani jets kill 35 suspected militants in Tirah air raids

Dawn.com Published February 23, 2014

PESHAWAR: Pakistani fighter jets carried out air strikes early Sunday on suspected insurgent hideouts killing 35 suspected militants and injured more than 15 others in Tirah valley area of Pakistan’s restive Khyber tribal region, DawnNews reported.

According to security officials, during the air raid fighter jets targeted various hideouts in the Tirah valley of the Khyber Agency reportedly destroying an improvised explosives device (IEDs) making factory and a huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosive materials.

The raids came a days after at least nine suspected militants were killed when gunship helicopters pounded insurgent hideouts in Thall village in Hangu district,

On Feb 20, after consultations with the top military leadership of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif gave a go ahead for the airstrikes in North Waziristan and Khyber agencies.

Khyber is part of Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal belt on the Afghan border. The Taliban and other al Qaeda-linked groups, who stage attacks in both countries, are known to have strongholds in the zone.

Pakistan

Air strikes target foreign militants in N. Waziristan

Jets pound suspected militant hideouts in North Waziristan

Nine killed as gunships strike militant hideouts in Hangu

Naveed

Feb 23, 2014 12:27pm

Hats off to PAF...let these militants pay for their barbaric act..... Finish them off..

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sami

Feb 23, 2014 12:36pm

Should not be any peace talk until taliban and all related terror group like jui disarm first.

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Ravi Dallas TX

Feb 23, 2014 12:37pm

Wow, this is real, does not appear to be one time rides. Congratulations.

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Shahryar Shirazi

Feb 23, 2014 12:40pm

Crush them!

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ahsan

Feb 23, 2014 01:17pm

Well done. Waiting for troops on ground to root them out. Kill them all..all of these terrorists.

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Faisal

Feb 23, 2014 01:22pm

Weldone, keep it up

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wellwisher

Feb 23, 2014 01:31pm

I lost three (one adult and 2 children) members of my close family in suicide blast in Lahore. If I knew for sure that God will send that bomber to Heaven, I will seriously reconsider my religion. In my heart I forgave that misguided brain washed low intelligence person. But there are much more of them out there and their leaders who are the real culprits. For the sake of our country, our people and God. Army please get rid of them.

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Superman

Feb 23, 2014 01:39pm

Congratulations! Please finish them all! We want the government to rescue Pakistan from the stone age of Taliban!!!

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Asan

Feb 23, 2014 02:08pm

Keep it on for few days, hit them hard and they will come begging for ceasefire. Govt should also devise a policy to stop taliban apologists to spit venom against pakistan and our army on the talk shows. Well done PAF, our prayers are with you. Eliminate every last one of them.

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El Cid

Feb 23, 2014 02:47pm

Time for Bharat's military to take a rest, go on leave, disband altogether...Pakistan Army is doing their job better than they ever could have dreamed of doing. And at no cost to them.

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A. Shafique

Feb 23, 2014 02:51pm

May Allah SWT bless Pakistan Armed Forces with quick and lasting victory, Ameen! May Allah SWT eliminate Taliban once and for all, Ameen!

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Zeeshan Qazi

Feb 23, 2014 02:54pm

I think this operation should be intensified and other groups such as JUI, LeT, Sipah-e-Sahabah, terror-based political parties and Lashlar-e-Jhangvi should also be punished and annhilated for their barbaric acts against the people of the world. It is high time we cleansed our society of murderous fiends so we could concentrate on elimination of other evils.

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Imran

Feb 23, 2014 03:01pm

Keep it up. Pakistan Army is capable to defend its borders from India or any other intruders. These terrorists cannot stand more than 2 weeks. TTP just underestimated Pak Army. Pakistan Army Zindabad.

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Parvez

Feb 23, 2014 03:16pm

Even if they are doing this to restore their image in the eyes of the people.........its still doing the right thing, even if its for the wrong reason.

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Feb 23, 2014 03:56pm

You all are armchair critics.you dont know the ground realities.Infact Tirah valley operation was conducted in January 2013 and was decleared clear area in May 2013.Now again targeting it despite presence of huge army on ground in tirah villay. And its IDPS are awaiting to be called to their area since May.My point is that the army lack clear strategy to uproot terrorism.

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Bilal Anjum

Feb 23, 2014 04:12pm

Come on Pakistan. ..get rid of these creatures once and for all !!!!!!

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S. A. M.

Feb 23, 2014 06:23pm

Its sucha heartening news. I am very delighted to know that terrorists are getting killed. Really have no sympathy for the terrorists. Nawaz Sharif, Gen Raheel and our brave Army. Thank you. May you get 100% success in killing all the terrorists.

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safdar khan

Feb 23, 2014 06:29pm

I realy appriciated the current action of Pak Army, very wel done, and hope full of successfull future, And every Pakistani should pray for Pak Army. I sulute for Pak Army.

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safdar khan

Feb 23, 2014 06:31pm

@Zeeshan Qazi: I really agree with You. more than percentages.

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Farooq

Feb 23, 2014 06:32pm

I really hope that the terrorist killed in the strikes are actually terrorists and not the civilians.the time has come that the army go after these barbarians and flush them out.do not let them escape into afghanistan and then return later to carry on their activities.May Allah guide Pak army to victory.

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safdar khan

Feb 23, 2014 06:33pm

@ahsan: I agree with you, more than any percentages.

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Mehdi

Feb 23, 2014 07:20pm

Pak Army - Men at their best

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Last Word

Feb 23, 2014 07:33pm

Best wishes for a God/Allah speed victory against the terrorists from across the border to the Pak army in their on-going operations to restore writ of the state in NW. Decisive ground operations should be launched at the earliest and military must hold ground after achieving victory, not allowing the militants to return back as happened in the past to restart their violent activities.

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khan

Feb 23, 2014 07:37pm

This is not enough,it should be done with greatest intensity possible. Close all the borders,and hit them hard.Local population should be made aware that it is for their interest that they should not give these criminals any help.And if they helps these criminal,they are equally responsible,and they will have to pay the price for that.It should be continued till we have eliminated them from the the roots.Everybody may not agree with my point,but I would like to tell that curriculum of Madrasas should be changed,and they should be managed by Pakistanis not by foreigners.

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was

Feb 23, 2014 07:43pm

@wellwisher: you are very selfish

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ahmed

Feb 23, 2014 08:03pm

@wellwisher: My condolences. The victims of terrorists are totally ignored not just by terrorist sympathizers like Imran Khan, Hamid Gul and Hamid Mir but also by mainstream politicians who refuse to fight back.

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wasif

Feb 23, 2014 08:46pm

God almighty in QURAN SHAREEF has said ," fight against pepole who creates destruction on earth for humanity and eliminate them.* May God bless Pakistan Army complete success against these militants who had been killing innocents for years now.

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Agha Ata

Feb 23, 2014 09:04pm

How much killing is enough; we don't know. The last time when they were flushed out of Tora Bora (Afghanistan) they quickly assembled and mushroomed. Until the army eliminates them totally, there is no surety that they wouldn't com back. The real danger is that they might scatter and make their hideouts in cities and attack from within the country.

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Khalid

Feb 23, 2014 09:22pm

"Mashallah" 35 "scum" despatched to "hell" These kidnappers, murderers. thieves, delinquents, who 'call themselves "taliban" in fact are the "lowest of the low" and are "subhuman" and their "false ideology" of subjugating the mass of population of Pakistan to ransom. They "the terrorist zaliban" have got the "just response" " We are sending you to Hell" where you rightfully belong and burn forever in hellfire!

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Jamil Ahmed

Feb 23, 2014 09:24pm

To properly confront the terrorism, we need to cutoff the foreign funding and support for these groups. They executed twenty three soldiers on Afghan soil on the orders of Afghan intelligence agency. We know who is controlling Afghan intelligence agency. The purpose behind the execution, just like the drone attacks, was to sabotage the peace talks

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Assad

Feb 23, 2014 09:55pm

We lost very fine army people in Tirah. A hardcore revenge in the name of fallen heroes ...

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Lakhkar Khan, pekhawar de gulo khar

Feb 23, 2014 09:58pm

Arrest and remand Mulla Samiulhaq if Pak government wants to find the Taliban terrorist leadership.

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ahmed01

Feb 23, 2014 10:18pm

@kk: I think Army has a clear strategy, although it has never worked and we re in this state because of Army's ill throughout strategy that it has had since last 60 years

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Khan

Feb 23, 2014 10:18pm

@wellwisher: We really feel sorry for Ur loss and whole Nation does so.These terrorist and barbarians really do not deserve even a slight mercy and Pak Armed Forces are wrath of GOD for such elements.My humble request is that please leave ISLAM out of this as these evils neither follow ISLAM nor let others do so.This Religion changing talk is forsure backed by pain and agony but please its better to reconsider your words and control emotions while talking on this issue.May ALLAH BLESS U and us ALL.AAMEEN. Pakistan Zindabad.

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independentthinker

Feb 23, 2014 10:34pm

Whenever a fight breaks out, we always hear the casualties suffered by the enemy and seldom find out if there were any soldiers and/or civilians killed! I hope the news we are getting are accurate and the strikes are actually hitting the insurgents and not the innocent civilians. If that is the case, my hats off to our military and I can sincerely say that these Talibans will disappear sooner then we think. However, if we are also suffering casualties, I think our people have a right to know about that as well!

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Analyst

Feb 23, 2014 10:35pm

You can't get rid of cancer by killing some malignant cells. Taliban is like cancer which get its energy and motivation from its religion. Can Pakistan get rid of Islam or even separate country and religion? Taliban wants Sharia law and many in Pakistan support Sharia law. Taliban will strike back and it is matter of time only.

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Azam

Feb 23, 2014 11:18pm

Good Job, Pak military Jawans. Keep it up.

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Eman

Feb 23, 2014 11:48pm

I am a proud fiancee of my Captain in Tirah. The whole nation is with our army. Destroy these low lives scum bags who have ruined our beautiful country.

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Mohammad Afzal

Feb 24, 2014 12:28am

Well DONE !!! PAKISTAN AIRFORCE ZINDABAD..Let us get rid of these Foreign Agents who are bent upon to destroy our country....It is time to get rid of all the ZIA's Legacies...We are proud of you PAKISTAN ARMY AND PAKISTAN AIRFORCE...

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Mustafa

Feb 24, 2014 12:36am

May Allah Bless and reward Nawaz Sharif and the Army of Pakistan for attacking and eliminating the enemies of Pakistan. Hope they carry on this attack until the last militant and terrorist is eliminated.

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khanm

Feb 24, 2014 01:11am

Many people may not like my statement. The military operation may bring respite for time being but it is not the lasting solution. we have carried out similar military operation in the past in Baluchistan. it was around 35 years a go.. our Army is still there. Did they solve any problems,,, If fighting is sure to result in victory, than you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.

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SALMAN

Feb 24, 2014 01:17am

Pakistan Army is very capable of getting rid of these barbaric people, call them Talibans or whatever. They will kill us if we don't kill them, so better strike them and they wish to die any way as they think they are going to jannat. So just fulfil their wishes and sent them to hell as that is exactly where they belong. And don't forget to do the same to their leaders

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R K

Feb 24, 2014 02:14am

Any Govt should not kill its citizens

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Syed

Feb 24, 2014 02:20am

No more TALKS!!! It's time for action.. period!!! Next army operation should be against Pakistan's corrupt politicians and so called democracy in Pakistan.

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dr adnan malik shah

Feb 24, 2014 02:49am

finally it is being realized talking to these terrorists is useless this menace and cancer must be rooted out once and for all in the name of humanity and human life. Keep it up! same so many innocent lives lost but better late action than no action!

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qamber

Feb 24, 2014 03:12am

Awesome. We are with our forces in war against these Taliban beasts

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sam

Feb 24, 2014 03:15am

After 8 years its PAY BACK TIME.

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Dr. Naseem Ahmad

Feb 24, 2014 03:23am

@El Cid : You get emotional young man actually this is what we have cultivate, we are cutting. As you sow, so shall you reap

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Mhd

Feb 24, 2014 04:45am

there are thousands of shaheeds willing to fight...inshallah both sides realize it and come to a quick peace and mutual understanding.

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Dinesh

Feb 24, 2014 07:46am

How come civilian deaths are reported only with Drone strikes...why there is no report about civilian causalities now? Looks like Pakistan jets precisely know who is a terrorist and who is not. ISPR must be on work...

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ali

Feb 24, 2014 08:37am

These raids have occurred so many times and look what is the result now

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DOWN WITH DEMOCRACY

Feb 24, 2014 09:55am

KEEP IT UP PAKISTAN ARMY WE ARE WITH U ALL THE WAY.

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Goga Nalaik

Feb 24, 2014 01:38pm

When I read the good news about the terrorists getting killed by the Pak army and air force, it appeases my heart ... o yes, I really mean it! Keep it Up Pak army and air force, attack them as much as you can and don't stop until you erradicate them all from Pak soil.

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El Cid

Feb 24, 2014 08:20pm

@Last Word: "Best wishes for a God/Allah speed victory against the terrorists from across the border to the Pak army " Not for me to elaborate. Best wishes to Pakistan's Army from across the border is self explanatory. Enough said.

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JusticeLover

Feb 24, 2014 09:34pm

Please clean our country with this garbage. Keep it up.

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Ram

Feb 24, 2014 10:11pm

Terrorism feeds on misinformation, ideology and spreading fear, unless you tackle these fundamental issues your problem will not be solved, killing few will only complicate issue, Pakistan needs to confront the real issue of Islam radicalism

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Gul Naz Ambreen

Feb 24, 2014 10:44pm

@Assad:*A hardcore revenge in the name of fallen heroes ...* **Revenge will be ours. Vengeance shall be mine. Should it take a thousand years or more.**

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Naseer

Feb 25, 2014 05:38am

@Analyst: Taliban have nothing to do with Islam. They call themselves Taliban, yet they are against education. They only use the name of Islam to make people fool and be able to recruit innocent simple people. It is a power struggle no different then the struggle of church against democracy in Europe a few hundred years back. Fact is that Taliban are the greatest enemies of Islam and Muslims.

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Rex Minor

Feb 25, 2014 06:22am

@El Cid Well said! .You are the enlightend one; May God bless you. Rex Minor

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Zafar

Feb 25, 2014 08:12am

Looks like Pakistani military is employing a two pronged approach - air attacks, and snipers targeting the TTP leadership. Latest target was AsmatUllah Shaheen who was killed by snipers yesterday without anyone claiming responsibility. I would give credit to the new military leadership in going on the offensive. However the pace of attacks should not be stopped until an absolute and unconditional surrender takes place with all TTP leadership either killed or captured including those who are attacking Pakistani soil from Afghanistan.

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Hina

Feb 25, 2014 09:29am

although i am not a promoter of fight but this had to be done long ago. I wish Pak Army a very best of luck, May they succeed and annihilate the enemy from its roots....

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ashfaq

Feb 25, 2014 11:12am

pak army we are with you ,our prayers are with you guys, nows its time for damadam mast qalandar

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Ahmer

Feb 25, 2014 11:57am

If you do not like our constitution, get out and find yourself another country.

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El Cid

Feb 25, 2014 06:56pm

@ashfaq: > "pak army we are with you ,our prayers are with you guys" What army, what prayers. Your deity is the CIA. Thats where the show is directed, orchestrated, commanded and controlled. You may not know but the operational go ahead came from the recent visit from the CIA Chief. You people believe anything you are programmed/molded to believe. Being low on education and IQ contributes.

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Aasim

Feb 25, 2014 07:13pm

Well I don't think this kind of attacks are helpful. Their top leadership will hide in Afghanistan and they will come back soon. Pakistani Millitary and Govt. still looks to have no discrete plan to tackle these militants.

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El Cid

Feb 25, 2014 07:17pm

@Naseer: > Fact is that Taliban are the greatest enemies of Islam and Muslims. The Taliban are Islam's313 of the 21century. They are Allah's Ultimate Warriors. They are Islam's final bulwark, Muslims' last stand against the Forces of Evil Hegemony.

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Shubs

Feb 26, 2014 06:40pm

As a non-Pakistani, it is heartening to see the support for these long overdue operations from most ordinary Pakistanis who have to bear the brunt of the violence and lack of security in their country on a daily basis. And it is also evident that the loudest and shrillest voices in support of the Taliban thugs are from fundamentalist hypocrites who are sitting in their cocoons in western nations while egging on these neanderthals to commit mass murder in their home country.

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