Pakistani military jets pounded Taliban hideouts as the Army continued search operations killing 31 militants including four close associates of top commander Baitullah Mehsud besides smashing at least three terrorist training centres in the restive North West Frontier Pakistan (NWFP).
Though the Army had claimed that it was on the verge of tapering off anti-Taliban operations in Swat, Buner and Dir, the forces conducted search and combing operations following renewed heavy resistance by the militants.
Four Taliban fighters linked to warlord Baitullah Mehsud were killed in the aerial bombardment carried out by fighter jets in Sarwakai area in south Waziristan considered to be haven for Taliban and al Qaeda militants.
Troops killed 16 militants and destroyed three terrorist training centres during a search operation at Tsapparai Kandao in Dir in the past 24 hours.
In Buner district, which has witnessed an upsurge of violence in the past few days, two soldiers were injured in an exchange of fire at Dewana Baba. Troops killed militants and destroyed a vehicle loaded with weapons and ammunition.
Security forces killed two militants and apprehended another rebel during a search operation at Malukabad in Swat.
Six more militants were killed and four suspects were apprehended during an operation at Ningolai, a former Taliban stronghold.
{{/usCountry}}Six more militants were killed and four suspects were apprehended during an operation at Ningolai, a former Taliban stronghold.
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