KHAR / GHALANAI, Nov 1: At least eight suspected militants were killed and ten others injured when gunship helicopters targeted their positions in the Mamond tehsil of Bajaur on Saturday.

Sources said that security forces pounded militants’ positions in Damadola and Matroshah areas and destroyed a number of bunkers.

Officials said that mortar shells fired from Lowi Sam area hit two houses in the Charguli village of Ambar tehsil, killing a man and a child.

According to Assistant Political Agent of Lower Mohmand Rasul Khan, the dead were identified as Niaz Gul and 10-year-old Bacha Gul. He said their houses were damaged in the selling. In the Lakaro tehsil of Mohmand, six tribal elders and an official were kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on Saturday evening.

Confirming the incident, Lakaro’s Political Tehsildar Zabit Khan said that Political Moharrar Ameer Taj and six elders — Malik Bakht Jamal, Malik Mian Sahib Jan, Malik Jan Mohammad, Malik Akram, Malik Sadul and Mohammad — were kidnapped from the Kandaharo locality.

FC personnel arrested two suspected Taliban near the Chopan checkpost while they were trying to move from Mohmand to Peshawar.

The suspects were identified as Khitab, resident of Peshawar, and Abdullah Mansoor, resident of Khwezai in Mohmand Agency.

In the Mamad Gat area of Lakaro tehsil, security forces exchanged fire with militants. However, no loss of life was reported.

Security forces conducted raids in various areas of Bajaur and arrested a number of suspects. The detained persons are reported to belong to the Mamond tribe, which has raised a Lashkar against militants.

Unidentified people fired two missiles at a ghee factory in the Khairabad area of Bajaur. However, the attack caused no damage.