At least 15 militants were killed and several injured when fighter jets bombed their suspected hideouts in Upper Orakzai Agency on Thursday. Official sources said the jets bombed the hideouts of militants in various areas of the agency, including Bermela, Khadizai, Mamozai, Samabazar and adjoining areas, destroying four hideouts of the militants. They said the jets were sent to bomb the hideouts after intelligence reports said militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), led by TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud, were hiding in the mountainous region bordering Afghanistan.
They added that the death toll might rise further as several militants had been reportedly trapped under the rubble of the destroyed hideouts. The political administration and officials have confirmed the airstrikes and causalities. Most of Upper Orakzai is in Taliban’s hands and the area witnesses frequent clashes between security forces and militants, however, government troops are in control of the lower part of the agency.
