Five Taliban killed while planting bombs in Kurram

The Daily Times, Pakistan, Wednesday, February 24, 2010

PARACHINAR: Five Taliban were killed and four others were injured on Tuesday when the explosives that they were planting around their hideout detonated accidentally in Ali Sherzai Dar village, Kurram Agency, officials said.

According to eyewitnesses, the Taliban wanted to blow up the house –vacated by local anti-Taliban leader Ghazi Marjan – due to the security forces’ operation in the area when the explosive material accidentally went-off, killing five of them and injuring four others.

Two of the injured reported to be in critical condition. However, AFP put the death toll at four and reported six Taliban wounded in the explosion. The Taliban had been using the deserted house as a dumping ground for people kidnapped for ransom. afp/ app

Taliban attack lashkar chief’s vehicle in Peshawar

By Manzoor Ali Shah

PESHAWAR:

Taliban attacked a vehicle owned by a local lashkar chief in Adezai village on the outskirts of the provincial capital on Tuesday, according to police and locals.

A Mattani police official told Daily Times that while a blast had been reported in Adezai village, police had no further information.

However, Adezai lashkar chief Dilawar Khan told Daily Times that he was the target of the attack, as the vehicle targeted was in his use. He said his nephew was using the vehicle at the time of the attack, as “I had sent him to attend a jirga in my place at Mattani Police Station”. He said the passengers escaped unhurt, and blamed Taliban operating from Darra Adamkhel for the attack.

NATO generals visit Mingora

PESHAWAR:

US CENTCOM chief General David Petraeus and British General David Richard arrived in Mingora, on Tuesday. Sources told Daily Times that Pakistani military officials held a briefing for the two generals at the Circuit House in Mingora.

 Pakistani officials briefed the visitors on the ongoing Operation Rah-e-Raast and the successes secured against militants. Expressing satisfaction on the conduct of the operation, Petraeus termed the rout of militants a big achievement of the Pakistan Army. Strict security arrangements were made for the NATO general visit. ghaulam farooq.