KHAR, Sept 12: Security forces in Bajaur Agency intensified attacks on militants on Friday to re-establish the government’s writ in the face of stiff resistance.

Fierce clashes, which began on Thursday night, continued throughout the day.

According to a statement issued by the Frontier Corps, 85 militants were killed and 21 vehicles destroyed.

The clashes triggered another exodus from the troubled area towards Lower Dir and other adjoining districts.

Sources said that six foreigners were among the militants killed in the attacks carried out with the help of planes, helicopter gunships, tanks and artillery.

A major was among seven security personnel killed in the clashes, while several others were injured, the sources said. The officer, Maj Asad, was buried in Mardan.

At least 10 civilians were killed and 14 others were injured when shells fired by helicopters on a caravan of suspected militants fell on the busy Gol Market near Inayat Kalley an hour before Iftar. A portion of the market was destroyed.

The caravan of seven pick-ups was taking suspected Taliban towards Mamond tehsil. Most of the vehicles were destroyed.

A security official, Fazle Rabbi, claimed that four of the dead were militants.

Military sources said planes and helicopters attacked militants’ positions and inflicted heavy casualties after the security forces received information that a group of over 80 men armed with modern weapons was planning to ambush a convoy.

Eight militants were killed when tanks and artillery pounded their positions in the Kausar and Rashakai areas early on Friday morning.

The forces attacked militants’ hideouts in Lowi Sam, Taang Khatta, Khazana, Banda, Glokas, Baicheena and Kirala, killing more than 25 people. After consolidating their position in Lowi Sam, the troops were planning to advance towards the strongholds of Taliban in the mountainous areas of Charmang, Nawagai, Mamond and Chamar Kand tehsils.