LANDI KOTAL/PARACHINAR: At least 62 suspected militants, including an Uzbek ‘commander’, have been killed since the military stepped up its campaign in the Khyber and Kurram tribal regions following the killing of students and staff members at the Army Public School in Peshawar.

The military said 12 suspects were killed in cross-fire with security personnel on Thursday night at Gudar and Wusai Khwar, in Jamrud area of Khyber Agency.

“There was an intense battle” after the security forces raided an area on an intelligence tip, Khyber Agency administrator Shahab Ali Shah told Dawn. “Bodies of the militants are with us and they are being identified.”

In another clash in Tangi Sar area of Bara subdivision, the security forces repulsed an attack by militants late in the night, officials said.

“Eighteen militants were killed in the hour-long battle and their bodies have been shifted to a local hospital for identification,” Mr Shah said.

According to the military, 32 suspected militants were killed in attacks in Wurmagai and Spurkot areas of Tirah when they were going towards the Afghan border.

According to administration officials in Kurram Agency, militants equipped with sophisticated weapons stormed a security checkpost in Wurmagai. The post was destroyed.

Three security personnel were inju­red in the clashes, an Inter Services Public Relations statement said.

Attacks on militants have intensified on both sides of the border.

“There has been an impetus in the military operation since the school attack,” an official said.

Security officials claimed that an Uzbek militant leader was among those killed in air strikes in Tirah. The claim could not be independently verified. Two of the dead militants were identified as residents of Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Meanwhile, two Levies men were injured when a landmine went off in Shaheedyano Dhand locality of Lower Kurram.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2014