CHARSADDA Five suspected militants and a woman were killed and five others wounded in a clash with security forces in the Mian Kalley area of Shabqadar on Tuesday.

Sources said a large number of militants ambushed a convoy of security forces when it was advancing towards the Mian Kalley from the Juma Khan Korona area. Security forces retaliated and as a result five miscreants and a woman were killed while five passers-by were injured in the exchange of fire.

Security forces also captured three suspected militants during the fighting and shifted them to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

Helicopter gunships also took part during the operation and pounded suspected militant hideouts.

Security forces also targeted militant positions in Shinow Ghundai, Darwazgai, and Qilla Shah Beg, with artillery shelling from Warsak, Subhani Khwar and Juma Khan Korona.

Hundreds of people are migrating from the volatile Shabqadar area and other disputed villages along the Mohmand border to safer regions including Peshawar.