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Operation extended to Kurram Monday, July 21, 2008 By Javed Aziz Khan & Saiful Islam PESHAWAR/HANGU: The security forces extended the Hangu operation to the tribal Kurram Agency after killing five more militants and rounding up 60 suspects during a door-to-door search on Sunday as the death toll in the action reached 20. Fierce clashes broke out between militants and the security forces when over a hundred armed men attacked a post of the Frontier Constabulary in Tora Warai, housing around 30 law-enforcers. The clashes continued for several hours after which the invaders escaped. Cobra helicopters and artillery continued shelling the hideouts of militants in Tora Warai and surrounding areas, destroying a number of targets. Curfew was relaxed in Hangu city from 7am to 11am and entry of vehicles to the district was allowed. Doaba town also remained under curfew. Army choppers and artillery advanced to the Kurram Agency while chasing the fleeing militants. Shells were fired at different parts of Ghardana, Dogar, Marghan, Tando, Mazdina and other areas of the agency. A private vehicle also came under attack in Mazdina, where two passengers sustained injuries. Three more persons were injured in shelling in other areas. Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Athar Abbas said the forces were targeting mountains in the Kurram Agency where fleeing militants had taken shelter. “So far 15 extremists have been killed during the operation and 60 nabbed. Five security personnel have sustained injuries in the clashes,” the ISPR chief said. The Hangu district, located 70 kilometres south of Peshawar, is surrounded by North Waziristan, Orakzai and Kurram agencies where clerics have strongholds. Militants frequently move into the district from all these tribal areas and escape to their native towns before police could take action against them. Military operation is continuing in Hangu district since last Wednesday. So far the authorities have cleared Naryab, Doaba, Kaga, Shnawarai, Zargari and other areas of militants and troops are advancing to establish the writ of the state in the entire district. The Pakistan Army claimed to have taken control of most of the areas in Hangu. The provincial government has predicted the operation would end within a couple of days once the objectives were achieved. An ISPR press release issued in Rawalpindi on Sunday, meanwhile, said fierce fighting between FC troops and militants left at least five militants killed and six of their vehicles destroyed the night between Saturday and Sunday at Tora Warai fort near Doaba. The FC officer concerned sought army reinforcements, which were immediately provided. Army troops engaged the militants and destroyed six vehicles of the fleeing militants. Reportedly, 20 militants were also injured in the engagement.