Security forces regain control of Maidan, Khyber Agency

Residents of 29 villages were told to evacuate from the area after militants had taken control.

HANGU: Security forces successfully regained control of the western heights of Maidan area of Khyber Agency from militants on Friday.

An operation was launched in the Para Chamkani area of Kurram and Maidan in Khyber Agency Thursday night. After braving retaliation from militants where three security men, including an army captain were killed, they established their foothold on Mohammadi Top.

The injured security men were taken to CMN Thall and other wounded victims were shifted to Peshawar for treatment.

The nearby areas have also been cleared off militants' hideouts.

An official said that more than 20 militants were killed in the operation, adding that the attack had been launched by militants past midnight in Samo Kalay, Kurram Agency.

Security forces pounded militant hideouts in the area following the attack. Over two dozen militants were killed and six of their hideouts were destroyed in the raid.

Clashes have intensified in Kurram Agency’s Para Chamkani locality, where residents of 29 villages were told to evacuate the area after militants had taken control.

In an operation which was launched on May 8 2013, some 12,000 families had vacated the area. A number of locals have extended support to the security forces by forming Village Defence Committees to protect their villages against clashes.