Operation in Bannu 70 Militants killed

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 1:35 pm

Operation in Bannu 70 Militants killed PESHAWAR: Military is reportedly shelling Taliban hideouts in Bannu district killing 70 militants.

Bannu’s district co-ordination officer, Kamran Zeb Khan, tells the forces shell the militants hideouts on the second day of operation killing 70 militants after a deadline given to tribal leaders in the region to hand over militant suspects had expired.

Bannu sits alongside South and North Waziristan, two semi-autonomous tribal districts bordering Afghanistan where al Qaida and the Taliban are believed to be entrenched.

Indefinite curfew has been imposed in Bannu and Swat ahead of expected operation in the area.

Pakistan has launched an offensive against the Taliban in Swat and Bannu.

It was not immediately clear if the shelling in Bannu and Swat signalled the opening of a new front against the militants.