DARRA ADAMKHEL, Feb 9: The security forces gave a deadline to the residents of Mazeedkhel area in the troubled Darra Adamkhel town, asking them to hand over two militant leaders by 12 noon on Sunday (today).

Residents said they had received a warning from the military authorities, asking them to hand over two suspected militant leaders — Tariq Afridi and Khalid Afridi — by 12 noon, otherwise the security forces would take action under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation.

The ultimatum caused panic among the residents of Mazeedkhel area, considered a stronghold of militants in Darra town. Some 13 bodies of security personnel had been recovered from the locality during the recent army operation.

Witnesses said that a large number of families vacated their houses after receiving the warning. They said that some unidentified persons fired at the security forces in the area on Friday evening which prompted authorities to give the deadline.