By KUNA,
Islamabad : More than 150 soldiers, who had gone to take part in the military operation but were besieged by militants, Saturday broke the siege and returned back to the camp, many injured.
All besieged soldiers returned to camp Saturday morning after breaking the siege of militants in Bajaur tribal agency, bordering Afghanistan, security sources told KUNA.
They said many soldiers were wounded.
More than 200 paramilitary troopers were dispatched to Loi Sam area, about 12 kilometers from agency headquarters of Khar, as a part of the government’s plan to launch operation against local militants on Tuesday.
However, after heavy exchange of fire militants besieged more than 150 soldiers.
A local Dawn newspaper reported that troops backed by jets and helicopters launched an attack on Friday to rescue besieged paramilitary personnel.
Two fighter jets and six Cobra helicopters pounded militants’ positions in the area. Heavy artillery was also used to end the siege.
Militants, it said, had suffered heavy casualties, with officials saying that 27 militants were killed.
Five soldiers also lost their lives.