Ex-district spy chief among 2 killed in Kunar explosion

According to local authorities in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan, at least two people were killed and another individual was injured following an explosion in Sarkano district.

Local police officials confirmed ex-district spy chief for Marwara and a civilian were killed and a local police officer was injured.

The officials further added that the incident took place around 1:30 pm local time on Friday.

Provincail police chief Ewaz Mohammad Nazari said the explosion after a remote controlled explosive device went off in the area while local residents were on their way towards the mosque.

In the meantime district chief for Sarkano confirmed the report and said the incident took place near a mosque in Dunyaie area.

No group including the Taliban militants has so far claimed responsibility behind the incidnet.

Kunar is among the volatile regions bordering Pakistani tribal regions in eastern Afghanistan where Taliban militants and other insurgent groups are openly operating.

from KHAAMA
By Ghanizada - 15 Feb 2013, 7:31 pm

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• Two civilians killed, one ALP injured in explosion near mosque in Kunar province (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)

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Two civilians killed, one ALP injured in explosion near mosque in Kunar province

Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - An insurgent-placed improvised explosive device detonated in front of a mosque in Sar Kani district, Kunar province today, killing two civilians and wounding one Afghan Local Police.

The explosion occurred while people were leaving the mosque after Friday prayer.

This is the second time in a 24-hour period insurgent-placed explosives have been found near mosques in eastern Afghanistan. National Directorate of Security personnel found and detonated three rocket-propelled grenades installed for explosion near Al Jahad mosque in Ghazni City, Thursday.

Governor Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, the provincial governor of Kunar, condemned the "inhuman" attack in his province stating "such attacks are forbidden in Islam." Wahidi also expressed his sympathies for the families of the killed and his prayers for the swift recovery of the ALP member.

Al Ahmadi, deputy governor of Ghazni, also condemned the insurgent practice of emplacing IEDs near mosques.

"The enemies of peace not only kill and harm people; they even disrespect the people's beliefs. There is no forgiveness for such a big crime and sin," he said.

For more information about this incident or the Afghan casualties, contact the Kunar and Ghazni provincial governors' offices.

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

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2 districts in Kunar cleared of Taliban

Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

JALALABAD (PAN): Manogai and Noorgal districts of eastern Kunar province have been cleared of Taliban militants as a result of counterinsurgency operations, security official said on Wednesday.
Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers conducted two offensives -- codenamed Toofan (Storm) 61 -- in Noorgal and Manogai, the spokesman for the 201st Selab Military Corps, Col. Mohammad Noman Hatifi, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Dozens of weapons including RPGs, machine guns and Kalashnikovs, as well as a large amount of ammunition, were seized in the operation, that caused insurgents casualties, he said.

from Pajhwok
By Mahbob Shah Mahbob Jan 9, 2013 - 13:09

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Taliban insider attacker killed in NATO airstrike in Kunar

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of the Taliban insurgent behind the May 11 insider attack that killed one coalition service member.

NATO-led International Security Assistance Force following a statement on Monday announced, the insurgent, known as Mahmood, was killed in an Afghan and coalition airstrike in Bar Kunar district, Kunar province, Saturday. The successful strike was the result of Afghan and coalition efforts to track down and find insurgents involved with insider attacks.

Also killed in the strike were more than a dozen armed insurgents, including several Taliban leaders operating in the region. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to any civilian structures.

The source further added, Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Asadullah, an al-Qaida-associated facilitator, during a security operation in Asadabad district, Kunar province, Saturday.

Asadullah was positively identified during an Afghan and coalition security operation and engaged with a precision airstrike after it was determined no civilians were in the area. Asadullah supported operations of terrorist networks, organizing and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Watahpur Valley. He is also believed to be behind an Aug. 8 suicide attack. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian structures.

ISAF following the statement also added, Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Mullah Jalal, the Taliban leader for Ghaziabad district, Kunar province, during a security operation Saturday. The security force positively identified Mullah Jalal during the operation in northeastern Kunar and, after determining no civilians were in the area, engaged him with a precision airstrike.

Mullah Jalal is suspected of controlling all Taliban activity in Ghaziabad and, prior to his death, issued plans to increase attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. He also met frequently with other Taliban senior leaders to discuss strategies against the local Afghan forces. At the time of the airstrike, Mullah Jalal and multiple armed insurgents were preparing attacks on nearby Afghan security forces. Several of the armed insurgents were also killed during the operation. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian structures.

In a separate operation, Afghan and coalition security force killed Rashid, a Taliban attack specialist, during a security operation in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, ISAF said following the statemetn adding that as the security force approached Rashid’s location, the attack specialist and several armed insurgents fired upon the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force returned fire, killing Rashid and several other insurgents. No civilians were harmed in the exchange.

Rashid, also known as Zubair, is believed to have planned and conducted several ambush-style attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in recent months. He had been known to use mortars, heavy machine guns and mines to conduct these ambush attacks. At the time of his death, the Rashid was involved in attempting to acquire additional weapons to support further insurgent attacks in the region. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent and seized several assault rifles as a result of this operation.

Anti-government armed militant groups yet to comment regarding the reports.

from KHAAMA
By Sajad - Mon Sep 17, 11:38 am

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Sep. 17., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of the Taliban insurgent behind the May 11 insider attack that killed one coalition service member.

The insurgent, known as Mahmood, was killed in an Afghan and coalition airstrike in Bar Kunar district, Kunar province, Saturday. The successful strike was the result of Afghan and coalition efforts to track down and find insurgents involved with insider attacks.

Also killed in the strike were more than a dozen armed insurgents, including several Taliban leaders operating in the region.

A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to any civilian structures.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

East

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Asadullah, an al-Qaida-associated facilitator, during a security operation in Asadabad district, Kunar province, Saturday. Asadullah was positively identified during an Afghan and coalition security operation and engaged with a precision airstrike after it was determined no civilians were in the area. Asadullah supported operations of terrorist networks, organizing and conducting attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the Watahpur Valley. He is also believed to be behind an Aug. 8 suicide attack. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian structures.

Afghan and coalition forces today confirmed the death of Mullah Jalal, the Taliban leader for Ghaziabad district, Kunar province, during a security operation Saturday. The security force positively identified Mullah Jalal during the operation in northeastern Kunar and, after determining no civilians were in the area, engaged him with a precision airstrike. Mullah Jalal is suspected of controlling all Taliban activity in Ghaziabad and, prior to his death, issued plans to increase attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. He also met frequently with other Taliban senior leaders to discuss strategies against the local Afghan forces. At the time of the airstrike, Mullah Jalal and multiple armed insurgents were preparing attacks on nearby Afghan security forces. Several of the armed insurgents were also killed during the operation. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian structures.

An Afghan and coalition security force killed Rashid, a Taliban attack specialist, during a security operation in Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, today. As the security force approached Rashid’s location, the attack specialist and several armed insurgents fired upon the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force returned fire, killing Rashid and several other insurgents. No civilians were harmed in the exchange. Rashid, also known as Zubair, is believed to have planned and conducted several ambush-style attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in recent months. He had been known to use mortars, heavy machine guns and mines to conduct these ambush attacks. At the time of his death, the Rashid was involved in attempting to acquire additional weapons to support further insurgent attacks in the region. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent and seized several assault rifles as a result of this operation.

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Sep. 16., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force today arrested the Taliban leader responsible for the death of two American service members following a Sept. 5 helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan.

The Taliban commander was successfully taken into custody by the security force following a joint effort by Afghan and coalition forces to identify and track down the Taliban insurgents responsible for the Sept. 5 attack. No civilians were harmed during the operation.

The Taliban leader and his insurgent cell coordinated the attack that downed an OH-58 Kiowa helicopter, killing both service members aboard.

The security force also detained one suspected insurgent and seized improvised explosive device components and Taliban-associated materials during this operation.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout
Afghanistan:

East

An Afghan and coalition force killed several heavily armed insurgents during multiple operations in Asadabad district, Kunar province, Saturday. During the operations, the security force observed several militants carrying a mortar launcher and munitions toward a populated area. After ensuring there were no civilians nearby, the security force engaged the armed insurgents with multiple precision airstrikes.
Post-strike assessments determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian structures.

An Afghan and coalition security force killed several armed insurgents during a security operation in Bar Kunar district, Kunar province, Saturday. During the operation, the security force positively identified a group of armed insurgents preparing to attack Afghan and coalition forces. After ensuring no civilians were in the vicinity, the security force engaged the armed insurgents with a precision airstrike. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and no civilian property was damaged during the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force killed one armed insurgent during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Khugyani district, Nangarhar province, today. As the security force approached the Taliban leader's suspected location, an armed insurgent maneuvered on the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force positively identified the lethal threat and engaged, killing the armed insurgent. No civilians were harmed during the operation. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent and seized one assault rifle and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) components as a result of this operation.

Afghan and coalition forces conducted a security operation resulting in the death of an armed insurgent in Gardez district, Paktiya province, Saturday. During the operation, the security force observed an armed militant engaging in insurgent activity. After ensuring there were no civilians nearby, the security force engaged the insurgent with a precision airstrike. A post-strike assessment determined no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian structures.

North

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested two suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Qal'ah-ye Zal district, Kunduz province, today. The Taliban leader conducts attacks throughout the region, as well as facilitating the purchase and delivery of supplies and weapons for insurgent fighters.

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5 ANA soldiers killed in Kunar suicide attack

ASADABAD (PAN): Five Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were killed as a result of a suicide attack in the eastern province of Kunar, officials said on Wednesday.

The suicide attack took place after a roadside bomb on Tuesday evening in the Nangalam area of Manugi district, the deputy governor, Mohammad Amin Tokhi, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Five ANA soldiers were killed and a sixth wounded in the incidents, he said adding the injured was in a stable condition.

Col. Noman Hatifi, the spokesman for the 201st Selab Military Corps, confirmed the incident but had no more details.

from Pajhwok
by Khan Wali Salarzai on Aug 29, 2012 - 11:07

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from sbs.com.au
29 Aug 2012, 4:38 pm

Five Afghan army soldiers have been killed in an insurgent roadside bombing and suicide attack in eastern Afghanistan.

Five Afghan army soldiers have been killed in an insurgent roadside bombing and suicide attack in an eastern Afghanistan militant hotbed.

The soldiers were attacked late Tuesday in Kunar province by a suicide bomber on foot after a smaller explosion caused by a roadside bombing, a tactic that Afghan insurgents use often, the officials said.

"First there was an improvised roadside bombing that hit an army convoy," Mohammad Amin Tokhi, the Kunar provincial deputy governor, told AFP.

"Some of the soldiers got out of their vehicles to check it out. A suicide bomber ran at them and detonated. Five of our soldiers were martyred and another was wounded."

The incident took place in Manogai district, a hotspot of the Taliban insurgency.

Dozens of the militants were killed in a NATO airstrike in the region earlier this month, the deputy governor said.

Mohammad Daud Barakzai, the Kunar deputy police chief, confirmed the Afghan army casualties and blamed the Taliban for the attack.

Afghanistan is plagued by an insurgency waged by the remnants of the Taliban, a fundamentalist Islamist group that ruled the war-shattered nation between 1996 and 2001 before being ousted in a US-led invasion.

NATO has some 130,000 troops in the country fighting the insurgency but they are due to withdraw in 2014 and Afghan forces are taking increasing casualties as they assume more responsibility for security.

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Air strikes kill 12 militants in eastern Afghan town

Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ASSADABAD, Afghanistan, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Air strikes have killed 12 Taliban fighters in the eastern Kunar province, provincial police chief Awaz Mohammad Nazari said Saturday.

"The strikes carried out by ISAF pilotless plane in Sholtann village of Shigal district on Friday evening killed 12 Pakistani Taliban militants on the spot," Nazari told Xinhua.

He also noted that seven civilians were injured in the raid.

Meanwhile, head of health department in Kunar's provincial capital Assadabad, Farooq Sahak confirmed that six injured civilians including two elders and three youngsters had been taken to hospital for medical treatment.

On the other hand, residents in Sholtan village said that Mullah Dadullah, a Pakistani Taliban commander, along with his deputies Abdul Rahman Ghalib and Usman were also killed in the deadly air raid.

Taliban militants fighting the Afghan and NATO-led troops have yet to make comment.

from XINHUA
2012-08-25 14:07:25

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Bajaur Taliban leader, deputy killed in airstrike in eastern Afghanistan

By Bill Roggio - August 25, 2012 - LWJ

Mullah Dadullah (right), the emir of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan's branch in Bajaur. Photo from The Associated Press.

The head of the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan in the Bajaur tribal agency and his deputy were killed yesterday in a US airstrike in the remote Afghan province of Kunar.

Mullah Dadullah, who is also known as Maulana Mohammad Jamal, and his deputy, Shakir, were among 12 Taliban fighters killed in an airstrike in the Shigal wa Sheltan district in Kunar province, the International Security Assistance Force stated in a press release.

Dadullah "was responsible for the movement of fighters and weapons, as well as attacks against Afghan and coalition forces," ISAF stated.

Prior to announcing Dadullah's death, the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC) told The Long War Journal that an airstrike took place "near the Pakistani border" in Kunar, and that 12 "armed insurgents" were killed.

The Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan has been operating along both sides of the Afghan-Pakistani border, and has been responsible for numerous attacks on military and government targets in Kunar and Nuristan in Afghanistan, and in Bajaur, Mohmand, and Dir in Pakistan.

ISAF has been pounding al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders in Kunar over the past several months. Since the end of May, five al Qaeda leaders and two Lashkar-e-Taiba leaders have been killed in airstrikes in the Watahpur district in Kunar [see LWJ report, ISAF kills Taliban district governor, 'dozens' of fighters in Kunar airstrikes, for more details]. Three al Qaeda-linked Taliban commanders have been killed in airstrikes in Watahpur over the past week. One of those commanders killed in an airstrike in Watahpur was responsible for a recent suicide attack that killed three US soldiers and a USAID officer in Asadabad.

Dadullah was in the middle of an intra-Taliban feud, which began in 2010 when Faqir Mohammed, the group's previous emir for Bajaur as well as the deputy emir for the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, was accused by local Taliban leaders in Bajaur of failing to fight the Pakistani military during an offensive.

In December 2011, Dadullah lashed out at Faqir when the latter said he was conducting negotiations with the Pakistani military and government at the behest of the Taliban. Both Dadullah and Ihsanullah Ihsan, the group's spokesman, rejected Faqir's claim that he was negotiating with the approval of the Taliban, and said Dadullah was now in charge in Bajaur.

In March 2012, Ihsan said that Hakeemullah Mehsud, the overall emir for the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan, formally dismissed Faqir after a meeting of the group's executive shura, or council. The move was controversial as Faqir is closely allied with Ayman al Zawahiri, the leader of al Qaeda. Faqir is known to have sheltered Zawahiri and other top al Qaeda leaders in Bajaur.


For more information on Faqir Mohammed, his feud with the Taliban, and Taliban activity in Bajaur, see LWJ report, Pakistani Taliban deputy Faqir Mohammad demoted.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/08/bajaur_taliban_leade.php#ixzz24YYVzPQw

 

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Al Qaeda emir for Kunar, deputy, and facilitator killed in airstrikes

Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Bill Roggio - August 5, 2012 - LWJ

The Coalition confirmed that al Qaeda's leader for Kunar province and his deputy were killed in Friday's airstrike in the Watahpur district. Both al Qaeda leaders were Pakistani citizens, the International Security Assistance Force told The Long War Journal. Additionally, an al Qaeda facilitator who ran IED training camps was killed in a separate strike in Watahpur on the same day.

Mufti Assad, al Qaeda's emir for Kunar, and his deputy, Yusuf, were killed in the Aug. 3 airstrike in the key al Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba hub of Watahpur, ISAF stated in a press release. Special operations forces called in an airstrike after engaging the al Qaeda force during a raid, ISAF said yesterday [see LWJ report, Al Qaeda-linked fighters killed in airstrike in Kunar].

Assad, who was also known as Mufti Punjabi, Abdul Qudus, and Sufyan, "controlled al-Qaeda terrorists operating in Kunar," ISAF said. "He led dozens of al Qaeda affiliated fighters throughout eastern Afghanistan and coordinated their attacks across the region."

Additionally Assad served as "an explosives expert who provided training to insurgents on how to construct and use improvised explosive devices."

Yusuf, al Qaeda's deputy emir for Kunar who was also known as Omar and Rayhman, was "an IED expert who directed insurgent attacks across eastern Afghanistan."

Assad and Yusuf "were both Pakistani" citizens, ISAF's Joint Command Media Operations told The Long War Journal.

ISAF also confirmed that Fatah Gul, an "al Qaeda facilitator" who ran IED training camps, was killed in a separate airstrike in Watahpur on Friday. Gul, who was also known as Inzir and Shahid, "provided safe haven to al Qaeda affiliated terrorists operating in eastern Afghanistan."

Gul "also ran terrorist training camps where insurgents learned how to conduct improvised explosive devices attacks," ISAF stated. Gul was an Afghan citizen, ISAF's Joint Command Media Operations told The Long War Journal.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/08/al_qaeda_emir_for_ku.php#ixzz22iU0zu23

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Saudi al Qaeda commander confirmed killed in Kunar airstrike

Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Bill Roggio - July 3, 2012 -LWJ

The Coalition confirmed that an al Qaeda military commander from Saudi Arabia was killed in Sunday's airstrike in Kunar province that killed "several" al Qaeda operatives.

The International Security Assistance Force said that a Saudi known as Hanzallah was killed in the July 1 airstrike in the Watahpur district in the remote northeastern province of Kunar.

"Hanzallah was a Saudi national and al Qaeda leader who acted as a military advisor to insurgents in Kunar, Nuristan and Laghman provinces and provided them with improvised explosive device training," ISAF stated in a press release. "Hanzallah was one of several al-Qaida terrorists killed during the security operation."

ISAF announced the raid that targeted Hanzallah yesterday in a press release, and stated that "numerous" insurgents were killed in the operation [see LWJ report, ISAF targets al Qaeda leader in Kunar]. ISAF did not provide the identities of the other al Qaeda operatives who were killed in the strike.

Hanzallah is not listed on any of Saudi Arabia's four lists of most-wanted terrorists.

Al Qaeda operatives and leaders often serve as embedded military trainers for Taliban field units and impart tactics and bombmaking skills to these forces. In addition, al Qaeda frequently supports the Taliban by funding operations and providing weapons and other aid. [See LWJ report, Al Qaeda's paramilitary 'Shadow Army' for more information on al Qaeda's role in Afghanistan.]

Saudis are known to have held senior al Qaeda leadership positions in Kunar province. ISAF has killed four other Saudi leaders in Kunar since the summer of 2010.

On May 28, an ISAF airstrike killed Sakhr al Taifi, a Saudi al Qaeda leader who was also known as Musthaq and Nasim, and another unnamed al Qaeda fighter. Al Taifi, who was wanted by the Saudi government, served as al Qaeda's second in command in Afghanistan, according to ISAF.

In April 2011, ISAF killed Abu Hafs al Najdi, al Qaeda's operations chief for Kunar who was wanted by the Saudi government.

And in September 2010, ISAF killed Abdallah Umar al Qurayshi and Sa'ad Mohammad al Shahri. Al Qurayshi was a senior al Qaeda commander who coordinated the attacks of a group of Arab fighters in Kunar and Nuristan provinces and also maintained extensive contacts with al Qaeda facilitators throughout the Middle East. Al Shahri was a longtime jihadist and the son of a retired Saudi colonel.

Read more: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2012/07/saudi_al_qaeda_comma_1.php#ixzz1zjSHlybT

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• Saudi al Qaeda commander confirmed killed in Kunar airstrike (longwarjournal.org)

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Senior al-Qaida leader killed in Kunar province Sunday

Districts of Kunar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition forces confirmed that a security operation conducted Sunday resulted in the deaths of Sakhr al-Taifi, a Saudi al-Qaida leader, and one additional al-Qaida terrorist in Watahpur district, Kunar province.

Sakhr al-Taifi, also known as Musthaq and Nasim, was al-Qaida’s second highest leader in Afghanistan, responsible for commanding foreign insurgents, in addition to directing attacks against coalition and Afghan forces.

He frequently traveled between Afghanistan and Pakistan, carrying out commands from senior al-Qaida leadership. He also supplied weapons and equipment to eastern insurgents and managed the illegal transport of insurgent fighters into Afghanistan.

After positively identifying Sakhr al-Taifi and one additional al-Qaida terrorist, and ensuring no civilians were in the area, the security force engaged the targets with a precision airstrike. A follow-on assessment of the area determined no civilian property was damaged and no civilians were harmed.

ISAF Joint Command

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• ISAF targets al Qaeda leaders in Kunar (longwarjournal.org)

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Insurgents attack at Olai Check-post in Mohmand Agency, dozens killed

Dozens of Taliban fighters armed with latest weapons stormed Olai Check-post of the security forces near Salala area of teshil Bazai in Mohmand Agency on Monday, killing four security forces personnel while seven others went missing.

Official sources said that as the spring offensive has been kicked off in rugged regions of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan, dozens of insurgents armed with automatic weapons in the wee hours rocked Olai Check post established by the security forces after the Salala Check-post was stormed by the Nato forces which created rift between the Pak-US relations.

“Four of our soldiers were martyred and seven are still missing after the attack,” an official said, adding that a search operation has been launched in the area.

Security forces immediately started a full scale operation against the insurgents and also to rescue the missing security men in the area, security sources said.

It is pertinent to be mentioned here that Olai Check-post in Mohmand Agency borders the Kunar province of Afghanistan and was established near the destroyed Salala check post. Most of the fugitive Taliban commanders and their foot-soldiers reside in their hideouts in the Kunar province and they frequently launch attack on Pakistani posts to enter Pakistani side of the border.

from nation.com.pk
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from KHAAMA:

The Pakistani military says dozens of Taliban militants coming from Afghanistan attacked border posts in the northwest,  killing four paramilitary soldiers.

The paramilitary Frontier Corps says Monday’s attack occurred in Olai, part of the Mohmand tribal area.

The attack in part of Pakistan’s restive tribal badlands, near the Afghan border, was beaten off when troops responded with artillery and heavy weapons, according to a spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC).

“Four of our soldiers were martyred and seven are still missing after the attack,” an official said, adding that a search operation has been launched in the area.

In the meantime a local official Siddiq Ullah said, “Militants attacked a Frontier Corps checkpost in Baizai area of Mohmand tribal region on Sunday night, which triggered a firefight, killing three troops and 14 rebels.”

Five troops were also injured and the militants had infiltrated Pakistan from Afghanistan’s northeastern Kunar province, he said.

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