PAF jet pounds Taliban positions; three soldiers injured

Three Pakistani security personnel were injured on Thursday when militants attacked a check post in the restive South Waziristan, even as the army said it had no plans to launch an offensive in North Waziristan despite an attack by the Taliban that killed 30 soldiers.

Three Pakistani security personnel were injured on Thursday when militants attacked a check post in the restive South Waziristan, even as the army said it had no plans to launch an offensive in North Waziristan despite an attack by the Taliban that killed 30 soldiers.

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The militants attacked the check post at Spinkai Raghzai in South Waziristan, injuring three soldiers, TV news channels reported. In retaliation, militant positions were targeted by artillery, jets and gunship helicopters.

The army is preparing for a push into the stronghold of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan and air strikes have been launched to soften up militant positions before ground forces launch an assault.

Meanwhile, the army’s helicopters yesterday dropped leaflets in North Waziristan that said it had no intention of launching an operation in the region despite an attack on a military convoy by a Taliban faction on Sunday that killed about 30 soldiers.

Hafiz Gul Bahadur, the leader of the Taliban faction that carried out the attack, has also announced the scrapping of a year-old peace accord with the government.