Army official, 20 militants killed in Kurram clash

Nine militant hideouts were also destroyed when security forces retaliated against an attack on a checkpost.

PESHAWAR: A Pakistan Army major was killed when about 60 militants attacked the Marazan checkpost in the Central Kurram Agency late Tuesday night in a bid to revolt against the military offensive carried out in the region earlier. The deceased was identified as Major Sikandar.

More than 20 militants were reportedly killed and nine militant hideouts were destroyed when the security forces retaliated.

“The militants were hiding in nearby mountains and opened fire on the convoy which was followed by firing rockets. Security forces retaliated the attack and killed 20 militants. One of our major succumbed to his wounds,” the official added.

The area was declared "clear" by the security forces previously; however, incidents of violence have regularly been reported from there.

The information about the clash could not vein across due to the fact that the area is isolated from other areas and communication is very low.

In a separate incident, officials confirmed a second attack from militants in the Shadala area of Ghaljo, where rockets were fired to target a convoy.

“The second attack happened in the same manner like the one in the Kurram Agency. The militants were hiding and they targeted the convoy. The attack was retaliated and four militants were killed. One of our soldiers sustained minor injuries and is out of danger now,” the officials confirmed.

Earlier, a policeman was killed while another was injured when a remote-controlled explosion took place near a police checkpost in the Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda.

Police officials added that the checkpost was situated on a main road, linking Mohmand Agency with Charsadda and Peshawar. Meanwhile, the funeral prayers of the slain policeman were held with senior police officials, including Peshawar city police officer (CPO) in attendance. The areas close to the tribal region have often been the target of violence.

“The militants were hiding in nearby mountains and opened fire on the convoy which was followed by firing rockets. Security forces retaliated the attack and killed 20 militants. One of our major succumbed to his wounds,” the official added.

The area was declared "clear" by the security forces previously; however, incidents of violence have regularly been reported from there.

The information about the clash could not vein across due to the fact that the area is isolated from other areas and communication is very low.

In a separate incident, officials confirmed a second attack from militants in the Shadala area of Ghaljo, where rockets were fired to target a convoy.

“The second attack happened in the same manner like the one in the Kurram Agency. The militants were hiding and they targeted the convoy. The attack was retaliated and four militants were killed. One of our soldiers sustained minor injuries and is out of danger now,” the officials confirmed.

Earlier, a policeman was killed while another was injured when a remote-controlled explosion took place near a police checkpost in the Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda.

Police officials added that the checkpost was situated on a main road, linking Mohmand Agency with Charsadda and Peshawar. Meanwhile, the funeral prayers of the slain policeman were held with senior police officials, including Peshawar city police officer (CPO) in attendance. The areas close to the tribal region have often been the target of violence.