KOHAT, Aug 31: Security forces continued to target hideouts of militants in Sherakai, Akhorwal and Tor Chappar areas on Sunday and killed brother of a key Taliban commander.

They besieged a large number of militants in the mountainous area and were pounding them with helicopter gunshps and artillery.

The helicopter gunships and artillery were mainly targeting hideouts of militants in the entire Akhorwal region including their headquarters in Tora Cheena and some shelters in Alibaz Kalley. The brother of commander Asif was killed in Torkhel area. He was identified as Samal.

Official sources said that helicopters took several rounds of Tor Chappar and Sheraki areas where the security forces were facing stiff resistance and had surrounded a large number of militants.

The ongoing fighting between militants and security forces has increased sufferings of common people. They cannot move to Hangu, Sadda and Parachinar as Kohat-Peshawar road has been closed for traffic. The fare from Kohat to Peshawar has been raised to Rs280. People have to take a long route and enter Punjab to reach Peshawar.

Some of the pro-government tribal elders while talking to Dawn said that suspending the operation would not yield any result rather it would encourage militants.

Meanwhile, the local administration established a relief camp at Government High School No 4 for the displaced families of Darra Adamkhel on Sunday.

But not a single family turned up at the camp to collect food and other items arranged by the government. Earlier authorities detained about 700 displaced persons of Darra Adamkhel in Ghamkol mountains due to security reasons on late Saturday night. Police officials including DSP Lal Fareed, FR Kohat assistant political agent, assistant coordination officer and MNA Pir Dilawar Shah discussed the issue of accommodating displaced persons.