Two militants killed in Upper Dir operation

DIR: Two militants were killed and a member of the security forces was seriously injured during an operation in Karo Darra valley in Upper Dir district on Thursday, sources said.

The sources said the security forces launched the operation against militants on the basis of intelligence agencies’ reports. Locals said a minor child was also killed in the crossfire.The militants, the sources added, opened fire when the security personnel reached Batan area and in the retaliatory fire two fleeing militants affiliated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Swat were killed.

The militants were identified as Hazrat Bilal and Niaz Muhammad. Samira, the 11-year old daughter of one Lal Bar, was also killed in the crossfire.The wounded soldier was shifted to the Combined Military Hospital in Peshawar by a helicopter.When contacted, District Police Officer Athar Wahid said the police was not part of the operation launched by the security forces.