60 militants, 7 soldiers killed in Pak, says official

Peshawar, Feb 6: Seven soldiers and 60 militants were killed during an operation mounted by Pakistani security forces to capture a key Taliban stronghold in the country’s tribal belt bordering Afghanistan, an official said today.

Security forces have cleared the Taliban stronghold of Damadola in the restive Bajaur tribal region which was being used as a base for terrorist activities, a spokesman for the Frontier Corps said.

A joint operation was launched by security forces and a 'lashkar' or tribal militia to clear the area on January 27.

Since then, 60 militants and seven soldiers were killed. Several militant hideouts were also destroyed, the spokesman said.

A search and clearance operation is continuing in the area, he said.

The Damadola area has also witnessed several US drone strikes in the past few months.


PTI