39 killed in Pakistan's troubled regions

15 security personnel, 21 militants and three civilians among dead in different regions

As many as 39 persons, including 15 security personnel, 21 militants and three civilians, were killed in four incidents in the restive tribal regions and North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan on Monday.
According to reports reaching Islamabad from troubled Swat region, 13 personnel of security forces were killed and 10 injured when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-packed car into a checkpoint in Madyan area of the scenic valley.
The suicide bomber attacked the security forces headquarters in Madyan exactly at ‘Iftar’ (fast-breaking) time, killing and wounding the fasting soldiers stationed there to eradicate militancy in Swat valley, which once attracted tourists from home and abroad alike.
The bomber struck the checkpoint at the main gate of the building housing troops to fight militants and also destroyed four rooms.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate of the Pakistan Army confirmed the suicide hit but said it killed nine personnel, while two sustained injuries. The ISPR spokesman said the bomber used an explosives-laden car in the attacked that occurred at 19:15 p.m. (PST).
Earlier the militants had established their strongholds in Matta and Kabal areas of the district and Madyan has never been known for presence of militants.
The militants had captured government buildings in the area last year but local people had chased them out. However, the latest attack has sent a wave of shock among residents of the area, known for peach and apple orchards.

Three civilians
Three members of a family, including two children, died in Allahabad area of the same district during shelling by security forces on the suspected militant positions. However, the ISPR said several militants were also killed and wounded in the shelling. Deploring the reported killing of civilians in the action, the ISPR appealed to the people not to give refuge to the militants.
Five persons were also wounded in the shelling after which the authorities clamped curfew in the valley for an indefinite period.

Five militants
Five militants were killed when an artillery shell hit their vehicle in Rashakai area of troubled Bajaur Agency. Military officials said the shells were fired from Khar, the agency headquarters, on militant positions and one of them hit a double-cabin pickup truck carrying militants, killing five of them.

Six militants
In Darra Adamkhel, another troubled semi-tribal region, the security forces claimed to have killed six militants in Torchapper area. The security forces started search operation in the gun-manufacturing town and recovered arms and ammunition from some houses.
The officials said 10-12 militants were killed in the incident. However, the claim could not be confirmed independently.

One soldier
In the same area, a vehicle of security forces hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was planted by the militants on a main road. One soldier was killed and another injured in the incident.

10 militants and one policeman
Eleven persons, including 10 militants and a policeman, were killed and police force claimed to have arrested six militants in clashes in Shabqadar area of Charsadda district, bordering Mohmand Agency. Fourteen persons, including nine policemen, were also injured during fierce fighting between the law-enforcers and militants.
The clash erupted when some 50 militants took positions near a plant nursery at Pir Qala crossing. A heavy police contingent, including policemen from various districts, including Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, was rushed to the scene to cope with the situation.
Eyewitnesses said that heavy weapons, including mortar guns were used from both sides. Even a gunship helicopter was seen hovering over the troubled area and also fired several shells on the suspected hideouts of the militants.
Besides militants and policemen, five passers-by, including three children, were also wounded in the clash. Police claimed to also have arrested six militants during the operation against militants that lasted for around seven hours.
A spokesman for the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Bajaur Agency, Dr Asad, claimed to have killed 20 policemen, including a senior officer, and arrested four of them during the clash. He also claimed that militants had thwarted the attack of police, whom he accused of intruding into Mohmand Agency.