PESHAWAR: At least two security personnel were martyred and 11 others injured when militants attacked a Frontier Constabulary (FC) check post in the Torawarai area of Hangu district late on Sunday night, according to official sources.
The casualties were identified as Naik Sadiq Hussain and Sepoy Abdul Ghaffar. The injured were shifted to a military hospital. The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the assault. An official statement on the incident was awaited till late Monday.
Meanwhile, security sources said 10 TTP militants were killed in a joint Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and police operation in Dir district. Afghan citizenship and militia identity cards were reportedly recovered from the slain militants.
The TTP had earlier claimed responsibility for a July 19 attack in Hangu’s Shanaori Zargari area, where three law enforcement personnel were injured in an exchange of fire.
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Bajaur residents told to return
Separately, the Bajaur administration announced on Monday that displaced families could return to several localities, including Sairai Malan, Sairey Miangan, Landai Kalan, Bilal Masjid Tarkho and Shamshirgar Qala Tarkho, which were cleared following recent anti-militant operations in Mamond.
Thousands had fled the area during security actions, but officials said residents could now “return and live in a peaceful environment”.
On Aug 23, a grand jirga of Salarzai elders vowed collective measures against militant supporters, warning that anyone found facilitating insurgents would face expulsion, heavy fines, demolition of houses and social boycott. The jirga also banned unnecessary night-time movement, announced deployment of guards, and demanded a Supreme Court-led probe into military operations in tribal districts since 2002.
