KOHAT, Sept 23: Security forces attacked militants’ hideouts in Shpalkiwal and Tor Chappar areas of Darra Adamkhel on Tuesday, killing over 50 militants. A soldier also was killed.

Officials said that helicopter gunships bombed a school in Tor Chappar, killing eight militants who were hiding there. However, this could not be confirmed from independent sources.

Sources said that troops did not face any resistance in Darra. About 400 to 500 local and foreign militants believed to have been fighting in the area have fled, leaving behind a large quantity of arms and ammunition.

According to an ISPR press release, more than 50 militants were killed during the operation in Darra, and that Indus Highway and Kohat Tunnel have been secured. It said that a search operation was under way in different villages.

The officials claimed that peace would be restored in Darra in a couple of days and the highway and tunnel would be opened to traffic before Eid.

“The prime objective of the operation launched on Monday is to secure the strategic Kohat tunnel connecting north of the country with the south and has remained closed for 26 days. The objective has been successfully achieved.”

It may be mentioned that the highway and the tunnel was taken over by the militants after the arrest of an important Taliban leader in Akhorwal on August 29.

The Taliban have been demanding release of five of their commanders arrested from Doaba in Hangu and Darra Adamkhel.

More than 100,000 tribesmen were displaced from the area twice over the past eight months. Most of them fear that militants will return from the adjacent Orakzai and Khyber Agency once the security forces leave the area as happened in the past.