LANDI KOTAL: The Pakistan Army on Thursday claimed to have made fresh gains during Operation Khyber IV in Rajgal, killing 13 suspected militants and injuring six others.

According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement, the Special Services Group is also taking part in ground operations while Pakistan Air Force planes and military helicopters are engaged in air strikes against militant hideouts in treacherous terrains of both Rajgal and Shawal.

The troops “cleared 90 square kilometres of the area while advancing from multiple directions,” the ISPR claimed, adding that a number of improvised explosive devices planted by terrorists in the region were detected, recovered and neutralised by the bomb disposal teams.

Military says 90sq-km of area cleared

According to the army, several hideouts were destroyed in targeted strikes by the PAF, army aviation and artillery.

Information gathered from independent sources revealed that the ground forces, supported by heavy artillery and tanks, had advanced from areas bordering Kurram Agency — Kandu Gharebai, Kherabad, Narai Naw, Thor Thoot, Tharu Qabar and Kharulai Kandaw.

The area is mostly inhabited by Kuki Khel and Qambar Khel tribesmen of Jamrud and Bara tehsils, respectively.

Air strikes, the sources said, were mostly conducted in Rajgal and the surrounding mountainous areas, including Wachay Wany, Zeri Ghatt, Barra Ghatt, Pak Darra, Khwakhi Kadaw and Kachkool due to tough terrain and thick forests.

They told Dawn that armed activists affiliated with the bann­ed organisations Lashkar-i-Islam, Jamaatul Ahrar, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, TTP Darra Adamkhel and Jundullah of Nazir Sipah group had taken refuge in the aforementioned areas after fleeing their safe havens in bordering districts of Achin, Kot, Abdul Khel, Mamand and Khogyani in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

During an exchange of fire with the militants, a soldier, Sepoy Abdul Jabbar, was martyred. His funeral prayers were offered at the Peshawar Garrison.

Later in the day, Corps Comm­ander Peshawer Lt Gen Nazir Ahmed Butt visited the cleared areas in the Rajgal Valley.

IGFC (N) Maj Gen Shaheen Mazhar Mahmood, commander for the operation, updated Gen Butt on the progress of the operation. The corps commander appreciated the morale and achievements of the troops.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2017