KHAR, Sept 1: Eight people were killed when mortar shells hit a house in Inayet Kali area of Bajaur on Monday despite a ceasefire announced by the government on Sunday night.

According to sources, security forces launched the attack after receiving an information that militants had regrouped near the Bajaur Scouts camp.

Local people said that several shells hit the house of one Hanifullah, killing eight people, including women and children.

Political authorities, however, said that only two people had been killed.

Local people staged a demonstration and took the bodies to the office of the political authorities.

Meanwhile, a lashkar of the Salarzai tribe set 18 houses of suspected militants on fire as it intensified its campaign in the area.

According to Malik Munaseb Khan, who is leading the lashkar, 35 houses of suspected militants had been demolished in two days.

The volunteers shot dead a suspect in Pashat area on Monday. Heavy weapons, remote-controlled bombs and ammunition were found in militants’ hideouts.