KOHAT, Jan 7: Militants killed three policemen and kidnapped another three after an attack on a checkpost in Hangu district early on Wednesday morning.

They took away arms and ammunition and set the checkpost on fire.

The attack was carried out at around 1 am, about two hours after the provincial government had imposed a curfew in the district with shoot-at-sight orders.

The Hangu district had earlier been handed over to army for Muharram security.

The militants first attacked the Dalan checkpost with rockets and then opened fire on policemen.

One policeman managed to escape, but the assailants took away head constables Pir Jamal and Tariq Khan and recruit Ikhlaq.

The policemen who were killed have been identified as recruits Taimoor Khan and Fazal Raheem and constable Zaitullah.

Constable Shakirullah was injured in the attack and taken to a hospital.

It may be mentioned that militants, who enforced their own brand of Sharia in several parts of Orakzai Agency and Hangu district a fortnight ago, have asked the government to remove all checkposts, claiming that the area was under their control.

Local militants, who are led by the Taliban from Mohmand, Bajaur, North and South Waziristan and Darra Adamkhel, have set up their headquarters in Tor Chappar, Ghiljo and Dabori areas of Orakzai.

The government had freed Maulvi Rafiuddin in return for the release of its 10 employees, including policemen.

Policemen posted in the area are reported to be demoralised and they usually do not fire back when attacked for fear of getting killed or captured.A spokesman for the district Khateeb of Hangu, Maulana Jawad Ahmed Jawadi, told Dawn that Muharram processions were allowed to come out of Imambargahs in Pat Bazaar and Malikabad areas, but told not to enter the bazaar.

Only a dozen people were permitted to come out for security reasons but they too returned to Imambargahs.