KHAR, Dec 13: Eight people, including a Taliban commander, were killed and several others wounded in Bajaur as security forces pounded militants’ position.

Two children were killed after stray shells hit a playground in Inayat Kalley.

Four militants, including three Afghans, were killed after mortar and cannon shells fired by security forces hit the Kharky area of Mamond tehsil on Friday night. Two people were injured. Military sources said they had destroyed several hideouts of militants.

A local Taliban leader and Mohammad Yar, the brother of pro-government tribal leader Maulana Gul Dad Khan, were killed when militants attacked the house of the tribal leader in Nawagai, about 30km from Khar, the regional headquarters. Militants fired two missiles on the residence of Malak Kamal Khan, another pro-government tribal chieftain and leader of the Salarzai tribal Lashkar, in Pashat in Salarzai tehsil on Saturday night. No loss of life was reported.

Militants fired seven missiles on Khar at around noon. Two rockets landed at the headquarters of the Bajaur Scouts, injuring two security personnel, and two hit houses in the Civil Colony.

A missile and a mortar shell landed in the Inayat Kalley Bazaar, damaging two shops.

The Bajaur press club was also damaged when two missiles hit the building. No casualty was reported. A meeting of the office-bearers of the Tribal Union of Journalists and Bajaur Press Club condemned the attack and termed it an attempt to gag the press.