Fresh air strikes in Pakistan kill 6 militants

Islamabad, Oct 20 (PTI) At least six militants were
killed and several others injured when Pakistani fighter jets
and artillery pounded suspected Taliban positions in the
troubled Bajaur tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

The jets struck militant positions at several places
in the Charmang and Loisam sub-districts of Bajaur Agency,
considered strongholds of the local Taliban militants. A
number of militant hideouts were destroyed in the bombing, TV
channels reported.

The militant positions were also targeted with artillery,
reports said. There was no official word on the casualties
though TV channels put the toll at six. Local residents said
the toll could rise.

Pakistani security forces have stepped up the bombardment
of Taliban positions in Bajaur and the restive Swat valley in
the North West Frontier Province with fighter jets and gunship
helicopters over the past few days.

Over 60 people, including 22 civilians, were killed in
air strikes and gun battles in Swat and Bajaur Sunday. The
News daily put the death toll in yesterday's air strikes in
the Taliban-dominated Matta sub-district of Swat at 100,
including some 25 militants.

However, it did not give a detailed break-up of the
casualties or the areas where they had occurred.