KHAR, Sept 9: Seven militants and a woman were killed as security forces backed by artillery and helicopter gunships targeted militants’ hideouts in the Tang Khatta area, eight kilometres from here, on Tuesday.

The forces, after consolidating positions in urban areas of Khar, started moving towards strategic areas like Lowi Sam, Rashkai and Khazana on Tuesday.

Military sources said the security forces confronted the militants in the Tang Khatta village after advancing towards Lowi Sam, Taliban’s stronghold, adding that at least seven militants were killed and several others injured in fierce fighting with the security forces.

The sources said the security forces had information that a group of hardcore militants, equipped with sophisticated weapons, were hiding in fields along the main road to attack a convoy of the forces.

After spotting the militants in the Tang Khatta area, the security forces opened fire on them, killing seven of them and injuring several others. Some militants fled, leaving behind a huge cache of weapons, eyewitnesses said.

The sources said the security forces had regained control of suburbs of Khar, the regional headquarters located a few kilometres from the strategic Lowi Sam area.

A 50-year-old woman was killed when a stray mortar shell fell on the house of a local in Shagai, 12 kilometres from Khar.

The security forces also pounded suspected positions with mortar guns, cannons and artillery fire in Bai Chena, Mullasaid, Jar, Mullah kalley, Kawsar, Dabbar, Bada, and Damadola late Monday night. Several militants’ hideouts were destroyed; however, there was no immediate report of casualty.

Most parts of the Khar tehsil, including Sadiqabad, Khairabad, Shandi Mor, Keralah, Tang Khatta, Rashkai, Khazana and Delai, resounded with roaring guns when the troops were advancing towards Lowi Sam, Rashkai and Khazana areas.

The indefinite curfew imposed in Bajaur continued for the fifth day. All trade centres, markets, and businesses were closed. Traffic was suspended on roads and people were confined to their homes, facing shortage of essential food items.

A jirga of the Salarzai tribe was convened for Wednesday to devise a strategy for taking a decisive action against militants.