Daggar, Apr 28: A major military operation was launched against Taliban militants in Buner District on Tuesday.

According to the Dawn, the operation was launched when militants refused to heed the government’s warnings and had been kidnapping the young boys for recruitment into the Taliban’s ranks.

Explosions were heard as gunship helicopters pounded militant strongholds in the mountains. A curfew has also been imposed in the district.

Meanwhile, local Taliban blew up the main bridge in Buner’s Ambala area.

Separately, NWFP Governor Owais Ghani said despite repeated warnings, militants were not leaving the district.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan government had warned the Taliban that it would expand a military offensive to Buner if the guerrillas did not withdraw from the area.

Around 450 Taliban were reported to have sneaked into Buner on Monday.

Pakistani security forces had launched an offensive against militants in the Lower Dir district of North West Frontier Province’s Malakand Division on Sunday to stop the militants spreading out of the Swat valley.

Military officials say around 70 militants have been killed in fighting since Sunday. Independent casualty estimates are unavailable.
(ANI)