DARRA ADAMKHEL/KOHAT, Aug 9: Local Taliban on Thursday blew up houses of rival tribesmen associated with a criminal in Darra Adamkhel after a gunbattle that left three people dead.

Initial reports had put the death toll at 27 but later only three deaths were confirmed. The bodies of the three were brought to the Zargunkhel Hospital in Darra for identification.

The militants started attacking houses of Qasimkhel tribesmen in Darra town on Thursday morning and loud explosions jolted the area, 35 kilometres south of Peshawar.

Sources said the militants had captured nine people belonging to the rival tribe. They took away about 30 stolen cars which were found in the hideouts of Ameer Said alias Charg, who was killed by militants on Monday. His death triggered clashes in the town.

Officials said that Ameer Said was wanted in more than 100 cases of robbery, car jacking and other crimes. Militants had warned him to stop such activities, but he refused.

Surprisingly, paramilitary forces and the local administration remained ‘neutral’ in the conflict between militants and tribesmen. Darra town had become a hub of militant and criminals, and the administration seems to have decided to keep aloof.

Residents said that militants had vacated the main Darra Bazaar and the main Peshawar-Kohat road on the request of ulema.