NATO jets bomb Khar Agency, 8 members of a banned outfit killed

Khar (Pakistan), Nov 10 (ANI): At least eight members of a banned terrorist outfit - Amar Bil Maroof - were killed and three injured in Pakistan's Khar Agency when NATO jets bombed Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency last evening.

The NATO jets targeted hideouts of the banned outfit in the Moga area near Torkham. Amar Bil Maroof spokesman Munsif Afridi confirmed that those who had died were members of his group, the Daily Times quoted a TV report as saying.

He said that 10 Afghan soldiers had been killed in a gunbattle with his group at the Torkham border earlier in the day.

Meanwhile in Bajaur, security forces continued targetting Taliban positions with fighter jets and helicopters, killing 16 more militants. The areas targeted today included Sapri, Banda, Khakai, Damadola and Sewai of Mamoond tehsil, and six bases and an arms depot were also destroyed in the offensive, said officials.

The Pakistani military said last month that some 1500 Taliban fighters and 73 soldiers had died and hundreds more militants been captured since the start of its operation in Bajaur in August. Suspected US missile strikes have also targeted militants in the border regions. (ANI)