KHYBER AGENCY - Two security forces personnel and ten militants were killed on Monday in clashes between forces and militants here in Shlober and Malikdin Khel areas of Bara subdivision of Khyber Agency, official and local sources informed.

Sources said that the forces Sunday morning launched a massive search operation against militants in the vast area from Qamberabad, Manday Kas of Shlober to Kohi and Miangano Kaley of Malikdin Khel. During the operation, the troops were attacked with Improvised Explosive Device (IED) near Seena Hospital killing two of them. The deceased soldiers were identified as Arshad Mahmood and Sanaul Haq, sources said.
Six troops identified as Atif, Zaheer, Asad, Altaf, Muhammad Hussein and Saeed were shot and injured by the militants in Nala area of Malikdin Khel in Bara. They were shifted to a military hospital for medical aid, sources said.
In retaliation forces’ gunship helicopters shelled the suspected hideouts of the militants, reportedly killing ten militants and wounding six others, besides demolishing their four hideouts. The whole-day gunship choppers hovered over the area and the residents were strictly instructed not to leave their houses, locals said.
Meanwhile, a local identified as Saadullah Qamerkhel was killed when a mortar shell hit his house, sources said. Thirty-four suspected persons were arrested by the troops who razed four houses of the tribesmen accusing them of having connections with militants, sources said.
The forces also imposed curfew in Shlober and Malikdin Khel areas. The military action confined the locals to their residencies that would further multiply their miseries, locals complained.