KHAR, Sept 26: Fourteen people were killed and 20 others injured when security forces, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, pounded suspected militant positions in the troubled Bajaur region on Friday.

Officials said that militants had attacked a security checkpost in Tang Khatta, about nine kilometres from Khar, early in the morning. Security forces retuned fire and a gunbattle continued for about five hours.

Seven militants were killed and several others injured. No casualty was reported from the military side.

Helicopters shelled militant hideouts in Tang Khatta, Damadola, Rashakai, Bicheena and Banda, killing another seven militants.

Meanwhile, a jirga of Uthmankhel and Salarzai tribes announced that people found having contacts with the Taliban or sheltering them or cooperating with them would be fined Rs1 million, their property would be confiscated, their houses would be set on fire and they would be expelled from the region along with their families.

It urged the government to continue the military operation till the elimination of militants and establishment of government’s writ. The jirga extended full support to the local administration.

It expressed concern over growing militancy in the area and called for stern action to root out the menace.

According to a press release of the Fata Media Cell, tribal elders of Bajaur and Khyber have supported the military operation and announced formation a tribal lashkar to take on the militants.

A Malagori lashkar demolished houses of suspected militants in Bajaur.