September 06, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 05, 1429

KOHAT, Sept 5: Security forces launched a fresh offensive against militants in Sheraki area of Darra Adamkhel on Friday evening.

The houses of local tribesmen and people living near the Kohat tunnel were jolted by heavy artillery firing at the hideouts of the militants surrounded in the northern side of the Kohat Friendship Tunnel. Security forces had moved tanks and huge guns from the Gunner Lane to the tunnel on Friday afternoon and started pounding the hills and houses in the southern parts of the frontier region of Kohat.

Meanwhile, heavily armed Taliban continued patrolling Darra bazaars in a black car playing recorded religious slogans aloud creating fear among the tribesmen. The militants reportedly claimed that they were providing security to government buildings in the area which were looted earlier.

Some tribal leaders and officials expressed anger over the security forces which reportedly did not take any action against the militants who openly patrolled in the bazaars and roads without any fear.

They claimed that a single shot from a gunship helicopter could have destroyed the militant vehicle. It seemed, they alleged, the security forces were patronizing a particular group of militants and they both played hide and seek game to prolong the sufferings of the local people.

CEASEFIRE OFFER: Earlier, the local Taliban had said that they would declare ceasefire and ensure security on roads in Darra Adamkhel if the authorities released their 67 associates.

A spokesman for the Taliban, Mohammad Omer, in a statement issued on Friday, had said that the only condition for declaring ceasefire and ensuring security on roads was the unconditional release of their companions.

He said that the Taliban would soon present the real robbers who looted banks in a Darra town recently. Mr Omer claimed that the Taliban had killed 28 security personnel during intense battle in Akhorwal area on Tuesday, adding that the bodies were in the possession of the militants.

The spokesman demanded that the government should release their companions first and then they would announce the ceasefire.