Pakistan army kills 23 in Bajaur tribal agency

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's security forces on Thursday continued their military operation in northwestern Bajaurtribal agency, and killed 23 militants since Wednesday night.

Gunship helicopters started shelling in Charming, Cheenar, Kohiand Babarha areas of Nawagai Tehsil of Bajaur agency, destroying various underground hideouts and bunkers of militants, local Geo TV reported.

The security forces in their latest crackdown killed five militants while 18 militants were killed in Wednesday night operation in Mamund Tehsil.

Bajaur tribal agency bordering Afghanistan has become one of the militants' strongholds because the Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants kept sneaking into the Pakistani territory.

Military sources said earlier that over 1,000 militants had been killed in Bajaur's military operation since it was launched on Aug. 6.
[Submitted by President]