KOHAT, Sept 1: Four security personnel were seriously injured and one militant was killed during exchange of heavy fire in Zarghunkhel and Sheraki areas of Darra Adamkhel late on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, migration of people continued on the fourth day of the military operation in Darra Adamkhel and 50 to 60 per cent families had left their homes till Monday.

Tribesmen from Sheraki and Tor Chappar crossed into Kohat from the mountains on foot, whereas people from southern side moved to Peshawar by road. People were still leaving their homes in small groups after knowing that the operation was not going to end soon. One or two elders of every family had been left behind to watch the houses and mostly young people, women and children were being shifted to safer areas.

Earlier, the security personnel carrying food items to the check post at the Sheraki mountains were presumed killed, as militants opened heavy fire on them with automatic weapons and mortars. But later they were rescued in badly injured condition. Similarly, a man identified as Javed was killed when a bomb fell at a house in Rosiano Kalley in Zarghunkhel on Sunday night.

Security forces in a limited action targeted militant hideouts in Akhorwal area, Zarghunkhel, Tora China and Babozi Kalley with helicopter gunships and artillery, intermittently on Monday.

Sources said that many houses had been damaged because the militants took shelter in them and left one area for another after firing at the security forces. The security forces had to retaliate, which damaged the houses.

Taliban and security forces made claims of killing dozens in clashes in different parts of Darra Adamkhel, but reports could not be confirmed by independent sources.

Taliban said that they had hit four vehicles and for evidence could present bulletproof jackets and uniforms to the media. Similarly, the government also claimed to have killed seven Taliban in an attack in Sheraki, but sources said that nobody from either side was killed or injured on Monday. Only four security personnel were seriously injured and one militant was killed on Sunday night.