KHAR, Oct 17: At least 15 militants were killed and several others injured during a fierce clash with security forces in Bajaur Agency on Friday.Military sources said that artillery, helicopters and planes pounded militants’ hideouts, killing nine people in Lowi Sam and six in Charmang.

Troops launched a massive search operation in different areas and advanced towards Lowi Sam, Zoorbandar and Tangi.

They also destroyed trenches dug by militants in Tang Khatta, Rashakai, Kohee, Chinar and Babra.

The military, meanwhile, is learnt to have completed preparations for a major operation in Charmang and Mamond.

A tribal lashkar in Charmang also claimed to have destroyed houses of militants in a number of villages.

The political administration clamped on Friday a curfew for an indefinite period from 8am in Sadiqabad, Tawheedabad, Bilalabad and adjoining areas of Khar tehsil.

Helicopters dropped pamphlets calling upon people to support the security forces.

The pamphlets said that militancy had ruined the economic infrastructure of the tribal region, made people’s lives miserable and forced them to leave their homes.

“They (militants) are enemies of Islam, tribesmen and Pakistan,” it said. “If there is peace in Bajaur there will be peace in the whole of Pakistan and the country will progress. These elements are agents of Indians and Jews out to destroy Pakistan and its nuclear facilities.”

It urged the people to rise against the ‘miscreants’.