According to sources, about 15 insurgents attacked a security post in Mattak area near the Afghan border on late Sunday and killed a junior commissioned officer, two hawaldars and a soldier. Two other security personnel suffered injuries.

Troops fired back and killed six insurgents. Four of the attackers were injured.

Security forces in Lee Sam and Khar pounded insurgents’ positions in the area with artillery. Officials said several militant hideouts were destroyed by the shelling.

Security forces have faced stiff resistance from the Taliban in Charmang, but have cleared 90 per cent of the area.

According to officials of the agency administration, militants fired seven missiles on security posts in Tawheedabad and Sadiqabad and a base in Bilalabada. However, the missiles caused no damage or casualty.

Three militants were killed and one was injured in an exchange of fire which continued for over about an hour.

Militants also fired missiles on a flour mill in Bajaur, causing damage to the building and machinery.

The managing director of the mill, Haji Mehboob, said the militants appeared to have targeted the upper portion of the building where security forces had set up a picket.