US jets intrude into Pakistani airspace, 15 militants killed and would-be bomber caught

Two US jetfighters again intruded into Pakistani airspace over South Waziristan tribal district causing panic among dwellers of the region, whereas Pakistani security forces killed another 15 militants in the restive Bajaur Agency and a religious outfit captured a would-be suicide bomber, seizing an explosive-packed vehicle in Khyber Agency.

Violation of airspace by US planes

As two US jetfighters flew over Angoor Adda and surroundings in South Waziristan Agency for 25 minutes, neither the Pakistani security forces nor tribesmen fired upon the intruding planes, sources in the tribal region confirmed. They said the planes had come across the border from Paktika province of neighbouring Afghanistan and returned to their base after 25 minutes without any action.

Militant commander captured

Pakistan security forces on Saturday claimed to have captured an important commander of the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) at Ghalanai checkpoint in Bajaur Agency, which an operation against militants is going on for the last several weeks.

The arrested man identified as Pir Muhammad belonging to Mohmand Agency was arrested on suspicion during routine checking when he was on way home from Peshawar. Later, he was identified as an important commander of Mohmand chapter of the banned TTP.

15 more militants killed in Bajaur operation

As the Pakistani jetfighters and gunship helicopters bombed hideouts of militants in Khar area of Bajaur Agency as part of the ongoing operation, 15 militants were killed on Saturday. According to official sources, the security forces took control of about 90 per cent of Khar region, where the agency headquarters is situated, and restored the government writ.

Hideout of militants destroyed in Khyber Agency

The security forces also demolished a hideout of militants in the remote Kam Shalman area of Khyber Agency. The forces blew up the hideout, which had already been vacated by Baitullah Mehsud-led fighters.

Mehsud is also accused of involvement in assassination of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, whose widower Asif Ali Zardari has recently taken over as president of the country.

Religious outfit captures would-be bomber

The activists of a tribal religious outfit on Saturday captured a would-be suicide bomber and seized an explosives-packed vehicle in Bara area of Khyber Agency. The explosives were meant to be used in a terrorism act on the occasion of Muslim religious festival of Eidul Fitr.

The activists of Amr Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar (Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) organisation raided a house and captured three persons, including a would-be suicide bomber, and seized an explosives-packed van. The arrested would-be bomber was identified as a resident of Charsadda district in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP). One of two other detained persons also belonged to the same area while the third was owner of the house from where the bomber and explosives-packed van were seized.

A spokesman for the organisation that captured the would-be bomber said the suicide bombing could have resulted in a massive destruction as thousands of people offered Eidul Fitr prayers at a nearby worship place every year.