Kurram agency: Three soldiers, nine militants killed in firefight

PARACHINAR:

Three security personnel and nine militants were killed in the early hours of Friday when clashes erupted at Mohmand Top check-post in central Kurram Agency.

According to an official of the security forces, at around 3:00am dozens of militants stormed the remote mountainous check-post.

“There was an exchange of heavy gunfire between the militants and forces.”

Four officials and eight militants were also injured in the attack. Militants also allegedly kidnapped four tribesmen while fleeing the area, the official added.

Hundreds of tribesmen have vacated their houses due to the ongoing clashes in Goganay, Gudar, Sar Pakh, and are moving to Sadda, the headquarters of Lower Kurram, and into Hangu and Kohat districts.

The Masozai and Ali Sherzai tribesmen have also left the area due to the clashes demanding assistance from government on emergency basis. They also asked for postponement of elections in NA-38, saying that most of the tribesmen in Para Chamkani region have left the area due to the operation and would not be able to cast votes.

A senior officer of the Frontier Corps visited parts of both Lower and Upper Kurram and held a meeting with the political administration and tribal elders to discuss the ongoing situation in the troubled parts.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 11^th, 2013.