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Published 29 Oct, 2015 09:24pm

US drone strike kills four suspected TTP militants in Afghanistan

PESHAWAR: At least four suspected militants, belonging to the proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were killed on Thursday in a US drone strike in Lal Pora area of Nangarhar province in Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan’s Khyber Agency.

The drone targeted a hide out of the militants and killed four while injuring two, according to security officials.

Security sources added that the militants killed and injured belonged to TTP.

It is pertinent to mention that this is the second drone strike within a period of 24 hours in the same area.

Read: Three 'IS militants' killed in US drone strike in Afghanistan

Earlier today, US drone strikes in Nazyan district of Afghanistan's Nangarhar province killed at least three suspected militants, belonging to the self-styled Islamic State militant group.

Security sources said the the drone targeted a militant compound in the Nazyan district, killing three suspected militants and injuring five others. The sources added that the compound was completely destroyed in the strike.

Till 2014, Nazyan district had been serving as a safe haven for the Mullah Fazllullah led Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

According to security officials, militants based in the Nazyan district had planned the devastating attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, which left over 140 children and teachers dead and scores injured.

Pakistani security forces also carried out ground offensives in Khyber Agency, particularly the Tirah Valley of Bara which borders Nazyan.

Also read: Most drone strikes hit unintended targets, says report

The forces cleared much of the Bara plain in Operation Khyber One launched in October 2014 while in a follow-on operation named Khyber-2 cleared the fierce Tirah terrain consisting of deep valleys and high mountains.

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