KOHAT, Sept 3: Militants in Darra Adamkhel barged into a branch of United Bank Limited on Wednesday afternoon and took away Rs2 million from it after blowing the strong room, official sources said.

However, Taliban spokesman denied the allegation, saying that they had only occupied the buildings on the main road to retaliate security forces attack.

Confirming ransacking of banks in Darra, district coordination officer Siraj Ahmed, who also holds the charge of political agent of Kohat Frontier Region, told journalists on Wednesday that militants also broke into Muslim Commercial Bank in Darra bazaar on Tuesday night and took away Rs2.3 million. He said that banks in Darra Adamkhel had shifted huge amounts to Kohat and Peshawar before the operation and retained only little cash for the convenience of the customers.

Meanwhile, sources said that a large number of suspected militants sneaked into Darra Adamkhel valley from Orakzai Agency under the command of their foreigner trainers to fight security forces.

On Tuesday security forces tried to accompany private vehicles to clear the road for traffic but militants opened heavy firing on them near Akhorwal forcing them to keep traffic on the Indus Highway suspended.

The DCO claimed that government was satisfied with the Darra operation and had achieved most of its objectives during six days of fighting. He said that 80 per cent local population had left Darra Adamkhel and only sympathisers of the militants were living there.

To a query, he said that commando action had been under consideration by the security forces but it could not be carried out without the help of the local people who were providing protection to militants.

He said that the administration would take action against the tribes which were harbouring militants under the collective territorial responsibility clause 21 of the Frontier Crimes Regulations and award them harsh punishments.

“I have contacted the National High Authority to start work on the repair of damaged bridges on war footings so that the people can go easily to their homes on Eidul Fitr. Presently they are preparing diversions of uncarpeted roads,” Mr Siraj said.He condemned the actions of the militants, saying that they were not doing any service to Islam by blowing up bridges, roads and looting banks which were only creating feelings hatred among the public against them.

He said that the government offered them ceasefire during Ramazan and the security forces were only retaliating.

Kohat, he said, was strategically important city and displaced people from Kurram, Orakzai, Hangu, Darra Adamkhel, Bajaur and Momand regions had taken shelter in the city which had made the district more vulnerable.

Meanwhile, heavy battles were being fought in Akhorwal area, Zarghunkhel and Sheraki between the militants and security forces during Tuesday night and throughout Wednesday. There were reports of property damage in Akhorwal area. More than 16 people were injured in the clashes.

District Police Officer Abdullah Khan said that caretakers of various seminaries had given them surety on Wednesday that they would not enroll any militant and would keep a strict check on the movement of suspicious people. In this regard both the Shia and Sunni leaders besides bazaar associations had been taken into confidence, he added.

Meanwhile, four different committees had been constituted headed by Assistant Coordination Officer Wahid ur Rehman, district revenue officer and SP operations to check price lists at shops.