Military helicopter crashed in Orakzai, 26 personnel martyred

A military helicopter crashed in Orakzai agency due to technical fault and at least 26 personnel have been martyred. Pak Armys MI-17 helicopter was on its routine flight in Chappar Feroz area of Orakzai Agency when the technical fault caused its crash. Rescue work is under process to recover corpses of the personnel whereas investigation has been launched at the site to figure out the causes of the crash. On the other hand as many as 13 terrorists including commander Naeemullah were killed and 24 were apprehended along with lot of arms, ammunition and equipment while one solider sustained injuries during last 24 hours in Swat and Dir, said an update of ISPR. In Swat, security forces conducted house to house search operation at Kabbal and Akun Kalle and recovered 3 rifles, 2 pistols, one communication set and 30 mobile phone SIMs and ammunition of various calibres. During search operation at Zara Khella security forces recovered 16 rifles, 2 IEDs, 2 pistols and safety fuses and detonators and ammunitions of various calibers. Security forces conducted search operation in areas around Rangeela and Dadhra and one soldier was injured while defusing IED. During search operation at Gokdara and Tandodag areas, two terrorists were killed in exchange of fire. Two SMGs and cache of arms and ammunitions was also recovered. The troops carried out search operation at terrorists hideouts at Nawakilli and Mingora and recovered 3 single cabins, 10 propaganda cassettes, 1 tape recorder, 1 radio, 200 sand bags, stamps and letter pads of TTP and computer accessories. Security forces conducted search operation near Shah Daheri area and during exchange of fire with terrorists 10 terrorists were killed and 20 terrorists were injured. The house of terrorist Shamso was destroyed. The troops also recovered 2 IEDs, 3 misfired rounds of 81 mortars, 10 liters acid, 1 rifle and an Under Ground Tunnel. In Dir, armed Lashkar conducted house to house search at Aurghar, Adinzai and Ghaziage; and during exchange of fire with terrorists, 4 persons of Lashkar embraced shahadat and 2 were injured, while 4 terrorists were apprehended and Commander Naeem Ullah was killed. Terrorists demolished PTCL exchange at Zinda Darra, Lower Dir.