Aerial strikes,ground clashes kill 21 in Pakistan

At least 21 people,most of them militants,were killed as Pakistani jets bombarded terrorist hideouts in Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud's stronghold of South Waziristan.

At least 21 people,most of them militants,were killed as Pakistani jets bombarded terrorist hideouts in Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud’s stronghold of South Waziristan,where the Army is readying for a full-scale ground offensive. Fifteen militants were killed when fighter jets pounded three hideouts,including one established in a school in Ladha and Sam areas of South Waziristan.

Air strikes and artillery have targeted areas dominated by Mehsud tribesmen ahead of a planned offensive by ground forces codenamed “Operation Rah-e-Nijat (Path of Salvation)”. The military is preparing for a major ground assault in Waziristan after claiming to have cleared most of the North West Frontier Province of Taliban fighters. Meanwhile,a shell hit a house in Kari Khel area of Azam Warsik,killing three persons believed to be tribesmen,and injuring seven,TV channels said.

In another incident,unidentified persons in Garapathar region of South Waziristan gunned down a man identified as a commander of Baitullah Mehsud’s group. The authorities yesterday announced rewards for information leading to the capture,dead or alive,of 11 militant commanders,including a bounty of Rs 50 million for Baitullah.

Mehsud’s group has been blamed for a string of deadly suicide bombings across the country that have killed more than 100 people in the past month. The Taliban commander is also suspected to be behind the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. In the Tank district of NWFP,two militants were killed and nine arrested in a clash with security forces,even as the military claimed to have cleared Kalil Kandao area,a suburb of Swat’s main city Mingora,Geo TV said. The Army also said the area from Isband to Chakdara has also been cleared of Taliban militants.

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