GHALANAI, Nov 8: Militants attacked security checkpoints and scouts headquarters and destroyed a bridge in the Mohmand tribal region on Friday night.

Sources said that militants attacked a post of paramilitary forces in Karpa and fired 17 rockets at checkpoints and headquarters of the Mohmand Rifles in Ghalanai, the regional headquarters.

An official of Mohmand Rifles told reporters on Saturday that troops returned fire and killed seven militants and injured nine others. One soldier was injured.

The militants blew up the bridge in Dhend area.

Political administration imposed a curfew in the area and closed the main highway for traffic. Anwarullah Khan adds: Fourteen militants were killed when helicopter gunships pounded their positions in Mamond area of the Bajaur tribal region on Saturday.

With the latest casualties, the death toll rose to 75 in four days of fighting.

Local people said that forces used artillery while the helicopters bombed militant hideouts. There were unconfirmed reports that several women and children had been killed in the airstrikes.

Sources said that militants were still holding positions in Damadola area, a stronghold of the Taliban. Clashes between militants and the tribal lashkar were also reported from Mamond subdivision.

According to them, militant leader Maulvi Faqir Mohammad had offered ceasefire and talks if the government stopped the operation, but the administration had rejected the offer, saying that militants must lay down arms before talks.