Pak army kills 14 militants in Khyber

From Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Aug 16 (PTI) Pakistan military today killed atleast 14 militants in an offensive in the northwestern tribalregion close to Afghan border that was launched to check andguard against terror movement along high mountains and inKhyber Agency. The operation has been unleashed in the Rajgal valley ofKhyber, one of seven tribal districts, where militants had astrong presence before army recaptured the region in 2015. "An Operation has been launched along Pak-Afghan border toreinforce troops deployment in Rajgal valley to effectivelycheck and guard against terrorists movement along highmountains and all weather passes in Khyber Agency," saidmilitary spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa. "In today’s air strikes 14 terrorists were killed and 11were injured," Bajwa said. The area is notorious for its treacherous hilly passes andforested valleys, providing militants a natural location forhiding, training and attacking security forces. The army launched decisive operation called Khber-2 afterPeshawar school attack in Khyber and completed in July 2015. It helped government to establish its writ in Tirahvalley, a strategic area close to Afghan border. Khyber border provincial capital Peshawar and sits on keyroute to Afghanistan through Torkham border crossing. Pakistan accused Afghanistan in the past for sendingmilitants through Khyber for attacks. PTI SH NSAUZM