40 militants killed in north west Pakistan military operation

At least 40 militants were killed and 21 others injured in the ongoing military operation in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of Khyber agency, over the last one week, an army statement said Monday.

Inter-Services Public Relations, the mouthpiece of Pakistani army said in the statement that 43 militants' hideouts were also destroyed in the armed offensive in the treacherous terrain of Rajgal area of Khyber Agency, a semi-autonomous tribal area along Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Forces have been carrying out aerial and ground operations in the Rajgal area since August 16 to reinforce troops' deployment and effectively check and guard against terrorists movement along high mountains and all weather passes in Khyber Agency.

Prior to that there was no check on the movement of the militants as Rajgal valley was out of the control of the forces and the militants used to move freely in the area.

The ISPR said that security forces have occupied passes and are now consolidating their positions up in high mountains in Rajgal.

During search in Damo Drub area, the forces also recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition including Improvised Explosive Devices were recovered today.

Source : XINHUA