At least 17 militants were killed and three of their dens destroyed in military action across Upper Orakzai Agency on Thursday, while four people were killed in Akakhel area of Khyber Agency. Officials confirmed that at least one soldier of the security forces was killed in a militant attack. Per details, the militants attacked a security checkpost in Shadala area of Upper Orakzai. In retaliation, the security forces targeted militant hideouts and an official claimed that eight militants were killed in retaliatory action. Officials and tribal sources said that with the help of fighter jets, security forces bombed several hideouts of militants in Ghajo area. On the other hand, the security forces embarked on a search operation in Akakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency in which a militant was shot dead for offering resistance. Officials said they had also bulldozed three compounds used by militants. Tribesmen said that during shelling of suspected hideouts of militants, a mortar shell hit a house, causing deaths of three people and injuries to four others.
