KOHAT, Jan 24: Militants captured four trucks full of ammunition after overpowering army personnel and taking six of them hostage on the Indus Highway in Darra Adamkhel on Wednesday.

According to official sources, the hostages were later freed while the trucks were driven away. The convoy was going to Miramshah.

District Coordination Officer Mr Kamran Zeb, who also holds the charge of political agent of the Frontier Region of Kohat, confirmed the attack. A jirga was summoned at the headquarters of the FR in Kohat, on Thursday. It was asked to convey a message to the militant commanders to hand over the four trucks or “get ready for consequences”.

The jirga returned empty-handed with a message from the Taliban that they had no knowledge about the trucks. After receiving the message, the authorities formed another jirga to make a last-ditch effort to avoid a military operation. The second jirga was engaged in talks with the militants till late in the evening.

Meanwhile, the Tochi Scouts have taken positions near the Friendship Tunnel and other parts of Darra Adamkhel and personnel of Sindh Regiment have arrived in the area with heavy artillery and tanks.