Fighting kills 32 Taliban militants in Pak tribal belt

At least 32 Taliban were killed in fresh fighting with security forces and a tribal militia in Pakistan.

At least 32 Taliban were killed in fresh fighting with security forces and a tribal militia in Pakistan’s lawless northwest,where two civilians died during a militant ambush on a tanker supplying fuel to NATO troops across the Afghan border. Meanwhile,over 300 displaced families started returning to their homes in Swat valley in the Malakand division on the second day of a government-backed repatriation programme. Security fears persisted as nine insurgents were killed in the last 24 hours in Malakand,where military had waged a two-month war against the Taliban and claimed to have eliminated the militants.

In fresh violence elsewhere in the unruly tribal belt,at least 23 militants were killed in an operation by a ‘lashkar’ or tribal militia in Ambar area of the Mohmand region. Local official Syed Ahmad Jan said the lashkar asked the militants to leave the area late yesterday. The rebels rejected the demand and opened fire on members of the militia,sparking a gun battle. Three members of the militia were also killed in the subsequent clashes. The fighting continued till this morning. Members of the lashkar said eight militants had surrendered to them a few days ago and promised to live peacefully.

The government has encouraged tribesmen in the North West Frontier Province and the tribal belt to form militias to take on the Taliban. In places like Dir district,lashkars have been backed by security forces in their drive against militants. The militias have stepped up their activities after the military made progress in its operations in Malakand. In Khyber region,militants opened fire on a truck carrying oil meant for NATO forces in Afghanistan,killing its driver and a passer-by,officials said. They fled when the security personnel escorting the convoy retaliated.

Taliban militants have frequently targeted NATO supply convoys in the region.

The military said nine militants were killed during the past 24 hours in search and clearance operations in the Malakand division,which includes Swat. Eight rebels were also arrested by the security forces. Five militants were killed during an exchange of fire at Kuza Banda,a former Taliban stronghold in Swat. Four more militants were killed in a skirmish with troops at Tahirabad and Billogram.

The military claims it has killed over 1,700 militants since operations against the Taliban were launched in May. Troops apprehended five suspected militants and seized machine guns,pistols,grenades and a communications set during an operation at Syed Parinda Ziarat. Three more militants were captured at Kuza Banda.