LAKKI MARWAT, Nov 30: A group of militants and personnel of law-enforcement agencies backed by an armed lashkar clashed here late on Saturday night, sources said. The sources said fighting erupted when over two dozens militants attacked the Bakhmal Ahmadzai police post in the jurisdiction of Tajori police station with light and heavy weapons. The sources added seven cops were present in the post at the time of the attack.

The militants fired rockets and also hurled hand grenades on the police post but the attack was repulsed by the cops backed by the armed lashkar of locals, the sources said, adding no one was injured from any side but the police post was badly damaged.

The gunbattle lasted for nearly three hours, the sources said, adding, the militants had also disconnected power supply to the area by breaking electricity wires to prevent the locals from using the loudspeaker for seeking people’s help for security personnel. The sources maintained that locals in large numbers armed with weapons rushed to the place as soon as they heard shots of gunfire, forcing the attackers to escape.