LANDI KOTAL: Helicopter gunships attacked militant hideouts in various localities of Bara on Sunday morning, killing at least five suspects and destroying an ammunition depot. Some civilians were injured.

According to officials, the strikes were in retaliation for the killing of 12 tribal policemen in two blasts in Jamrud on Saturday. A Bara-based militant group was accused of being involved in the attack.

The officials claimed the Ayubi Markaz, an arms and ammunition depot in Mandi Kas, had been hit and at least five men of the Tamanche Mulla group killed. The group had claimed responsibility for most of recent attacks on security forces and health workers in Jamrud, but not for Saturday’s blasts.

The officials said the helicopters also pounded hideouts in Shalobar, Akkakhel and Malikdinkhel areas where three vehicles and a motorcycle were destroyed.

At least three militants were injured. The official claims could not be confirmed from independent sources.

Sources in Bara said two women and another civilian were injured in the air strikes. Three sisters were injured when a rocket fired by militants at a helicopter fell on a house in Mandi Kas area.