LANDI KOTAL, July 23: The security forces arrested six suspected militants and destroyed two hideouts and seized arms during an operation in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency on Saturday.

Security officials said that a search and cordon operation was conducted in Lalma locality of Akkakhel after the area witnessed a surge in militant activities.

They said that two hideouts of militant organisation Lashkar-i-Islam were destroyed and at least six suspected militants were arrested during the daylong operation.

Officials said that the destroyed houses belonged to Said Wali and Awal Khan, officials of Khasadar Force in Bara. The houses were occupied by Lashkar-i-Islam local commanders Mashar Khan and Moeez Khan as the owners had long ago vacated the same owing to insecurity and ongoing military operation in Bara.

Security forces also impounded two motorcycles and seized 16 boxes of improvised explosive devices, dozens of mortar shells and cartridges from the two houses.

In Landi Kotal, local administration claimed to have arranged increased security at the mausoleum of renowned Pashto poet Hanza Baba after Friday night militants attack on the shrine. However, local sources said that additional force of security men was still not deployed at the mausoleum.

The authorities have also repaired the damaged portion of the boundary wall of the shrine.

In the meantime, Khasadar Force has also intensified checking on the main roads and at Landi Kotal Bazaar to check movements of suspects.

The Khasadar Force also demolished the house of a heroin manufacturer in Ali Masjid area of Jamrud tehsil.

The khasadars had earlier recovered pressing machine, drums and other equipment used in heroin production from the house owned by Dawal Khan.

The force also arrested two persons in Wazir Dhand for their alleged involvement in selling of heroin and other contrabands.