GHALANAI, Jan 12: Fresh units of security forces arrived in Mohmand Agency on Monday, while two non-combatants were killed by shelling.

According to official sources, security personnel backed by tanks, armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and artillery took positions and started digging trenches in strongholds of Taliban.

Helicopter gunships flew at a low altitude and shelled militants’ positions.

The fresh deployments came in the midst of reports that an attack by militants on the Darwazgai security post had been repulsed. Independent sources said the clash had resulted in heavy casualties, but the report could not be confirmed because access to the troubled area was denied.

Security forces attacked suspected militant hideous in Qandaharo area with mortar and cannon shells. One shell hit a house, killing Rozi Khan and his wife and injuring a child.

Militants had stormed a fort of Mohmand Rifles and two checkpoints in Lakaro area on Sunday and at least 40 militants and six security personnel were killed in the clash.

AP adds: The Frontier Corps said in a statement that four militants captured in Sunday’s battle had come from Afghanistan’s Kunar province.