GHALANAI, Jan 2: Three women and a child were killed and seven other people injured when shells hit a residential area in the Lakaro tehsil of Mohmand tribal agency on Friday.

According to sources, the shells landed during an exchange of fire between security forces and militants.

In another incident, militants attacked an FC post with mortar shells in Ghalanai. Troops present in the post retaliated and an exchange of fire continued for some time. Security forces also attacked militants’ hideouts in the area.

Our Bajaur correspondent adds: A pro-government tribal elder was gunned down on the Laghari highway near Inayat Kalley on Friday.

Malak Stana Gul was going from Badseyah to Kalan, his home town in Bajaur Agency, when armed men intercepted his vehicle and opened fire on him.

Confirming Malak Stana’s murder, Mamond’s political tehsildar said the elder had received threats from militants because of his pro-government stance.

Meanwhile, militants set ablaze houses of seven tribal elders of Mamond tribe. However, no one was injured because the houses had already been abandoned.