Pakistan helicopter attack 'kills 13 militants'
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PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN, MAR 14 -
Helicopter gunships pounded Taliban hideouts in Pakistan's northwestern tribal district Sunday, killing at least 13 militants, officials said.
The shelling destroyed three militant hideouts and two houses of Taliban commanders in the Orakzai region, military and administration officials said.
The gunships targeted hideouts in Ferozkhel, a village on the outskirts of Kalyal, the main town in Orakzai region, administrative official Asmatullah Khan told AFP by telephone.
The demolished houses of the two Taliban commanders were also being used as militant training centres, he said.
"At least 13 militants were killed in the attacks," he said.
A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the shelling and the casualties.
Under US pressure, Pakistan has in the last year significantly increased operations against militants in its northwest and tribal belt, which Washington has branded an Al-Qaeda "headquarters" and the most dangerous region on Earth.
The rugged tribal terrain became a stronghold for hundreds of extremists who fled neighbouring Afghanistan after the US-led invasion in late 2001.
Washington says the militants use Pakistan's semi-autonomous tribal belt to plot and stage attacks in Afghanistan, where more than 120,000 NATO and US troops are helping Afghan forces battle the Taliban militia.
Posted on: 2010-03-14 07:29
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