27 militants killed, 18 held in Kurram Haji Naseeri Hussein

PARACHINAR: The security forces have captured Dogar, the stronghold of militants in Central Kurram Agency. At least 27 more militants were killed, including an important rebel commander during fresh clashes with security forces as operation continued on Wednesday. The security forces also arrested 18 militants whereas gunship helicopters also took part in the offensive. Dogar was reported to be the main hub of arms and ammunition after Darra Adam Khel. It was reported that at least 27 militants were killed in fresh clashes whereas 18 rebels were arrested from different areas. The forces have also recovered 11 bodies of the militants from the area. The sources reported that nine militants were killed and five injured in various areas; whereas, forces advanced to Dogar area after pounding hideouts of militants during the fresh action in operation "Khwush Bade Sham". Dogar area has its boundaries with Orakzai Agency, Khyber Agency and Tora Bora area in Afghanistan. A large number of militants made set up positions in this area which was considered safe haven for them. Meanwhile, citing the goals of the operation, Brigadier Khurshid said that with the evacuation of terrorists who were agents of foreign powers, this area had been made safe and secure for ordinary people. He was talking to tribesmed in Dogar Jehan, which was once a stronghold of extremists just few days ago. The area was never under government control during pre-partition period and remained a lawless land even after the creation of Pakistan. Forcibly occupied by the extremists just a few days ago, Dogar Jehan finally turned a new page on its 200-year old history when security forces flushed out the terrorists and established government writ for the first time. The brigadier said central Kurram Agency had become a haven of terrorists, robbers and other kinds of violent criminals for the last few years. He said in Dogar Jehan the ordinary people were faced with exceptionally harsh life. They were kidnapped and harassed by these criminals and terrorists. These robbers used to snatch their earnings. He said these terrorists were stooges of foreign agencies and that nationalistic feeling was the driving motivation that led Pakistan's armed forces to fight and free Dogar Jehan from the culprits and establish law and order there. He said many terrorists had either been killed or arrested and the bodies of many of them were scattered in the forests," God willing, we will succeed in freeing it from extremist elements," he said. He asked the people to point out hideouts of the insurgents so that the armed forces could fight them and put an end to terrorism.

source - Frontier Post