KOHAT, Sept 2: A woman was killed and six tribesmen were injured during clashes between security forces and militants in Pirwalkhel area of Akhorwal tribe on Tuesday, officials said.

Similarly four Frontier Constabulary personnel were injured when militants attacked Kotal checkpost at the border between Kohat district and its frontier region on the hilly track near Hadyside Gate.

They were identified as Hashim Khan, Imran, Shafi and Anwar. The security forces attacked the post in retaliation, after vacating it, with artillery. However there were no reports of casualties.

Taliban claimed that they had besieged the security forces in the mountains, who were being supplied arms and food with the help of helicopters now.

The tribesmen alleged that a convoy was passing by their village when security forces suddenly opened firing as a precaution due to fear of attack by the militants. They added that a bullet hit a woman, who was watching the convoy from the wall, in the neck and she died on the spot. Six other people were also injured in the same incident of firing.

The helicopter gunships continued to pound the hideouts of militants in Alibaz, Pirwal, Tora China, Sheraki, Tor Chappar of Akhorwal for the fourth consecutive day.

The battle become intense on the fourth day of the military operation as militants refused to surrender and stop fighting in respect of Ramazan. The security forces and militants adopting guerilla tactics intensified attacks at each other after evening and continued fighting till late night.

The tribesmen continued migrating to Kohat and Peshawar for the safety of their lives amidst reports that the administration had asked them to vacate the area on the second day of the operation by 4pm but they did not realise the threat and opted for remaining in their homes.

Officials aid that this was causing hurdles in the operation and feared that the chances of collateral damage had increased this time as compared to earlier operation in February last. During which the militants used the innocent tribesmen as human shields and inflicted heavy losses to the security forces.