World | Pakistan
Troops gain control of road tunnel in northwest
Security forces gained control of a key road tunnel in a lawless region of northwestern Pakistan after fierce fighting killed 24 militants on Sunday, the army said.
- AP
- Published: 00:11 January 28, 2008
Dara Adam Khel: Security forces gained control of a key road tunnel in a lawless region of northwestern Pakistan after fierce fighting killed 24 militants on Sunday, the army said.
The fighting occurred around the town of Dara Adam Khel, where clashes broke out on Friday after security forces launched an operation against Islamist fighters, the army said.
The military action in Dara Adam Khel was launched after militants, who have been operating in the area, hijacked four trucks loaded with military supplies.
Militants had blocked the Indus Highway, a key north-south road linking Karachi with many parts in the North West Frontier Province and its capital of Peshawar.
24 militants dead
But security forces gained control of the tunnel after "fierce fighting" that left 24 militants dead as many others retreated, leaving behind weapons and munition. One paramilitary soldier was wounded, the army said.
Earlier, Maulvi Mohammad Umar, spokesman for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, an umbrella organisation for several militant groups operating in the tribal regions, claimed rebels were in control of the tunnel.
A leader of militants manning the traffic intersection fearing retaliation by security forces, claimed that the tunnel has been damaged in the fighting.
On Saturday, hundreds of villagers fled the surrounding areas for Peshawar.
Iftikhar Afridi, 34, told reporters in Peshawar he had walked with his wife and six children for nearly 10km before finding a bus to take them to the city. "I was also worried for the safety of my family," he said.
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