Three suspected Taliban militants were killed by security forces Friday while another three were killed in infighting between Taliban groups in restive regions of Pakistan.
Three suspected militants who opened fire on troops after being signaled to stop their vehicle were killed in Khyber Agency when security forces returned fire, a senior army official told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity as he is not allowed to speak to media.
Two security personnel were also injured, according to the security source.
Three suspected militants were also killed Friday in restive North Waziristan’s capital Miramshah in reportedly ongoing infighting, local sources said.
Khyber Agency, which touches neighboring Afghanistan, was a stronghold of Taliban and allied groups until an army onslaught pushed them out in 2011.
Over 100 suspected militants have been killed in air and ground strikes in Pakistan’s troubled North Waziristan, South Waziristan and Khyber Agency since February 17, when peace talks between the government and Taliban broke down after two deadly terrorist attacks killed 38 security personnel earlier this month.
Security analysts observe that the government is following a policy of offering the Taliban talks on one hand, while carrying out silent operations against them on the other.
A local journalist told AA on condition of anonymity that “targeted killings” between militants groups have increased since November, following disagreements over the election of new Taliban chief Maulvi Fazlullah after the death of his predecessor, Hakeemullah Mehsud, in a drone strike in North Waziristan.
A top commander of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, a combination of different Taliban branches in Pakistan, was assassinated last week in North Waziristan in the infighting.
by Aamir Latif
englishnews@aa.com.tr
