KOHAT, Jan 11 The death toll in three days of clashes in Hangu climbed to 43 after another 17 people were killed on Saturday night and Sunday. Several people were injured.

According to sources, several houses were torched or blown up in Ganjiano Kalay.

At least three people, including one militant, were killed and four injured in a clash between rival groups in Ganjiano Kalay late on Sunday night.

Helicopter gunships shelled Ganjiano Kalay and Pass Kalay areas to dislodge combatants from their positions.

A 10-member peace committee, after holding talks with civil and military officials, agreed on Sunday to announce a ceasefire, but faced difficulties in enforcing it.

Non-local militants refused to accept the decision and launched fresh attacks in Ibraheemzai and other areas in the evening.

Security forces attacked positions from where firing and shelling were continuing till late in the evening.

Talks between the militants and elders were being held at an unspecified place. The militants told the elders that they would not vacate their positions unless their amir (Orakzai Agency) Mullah Hakeemullah asked them to do so.

Kohat commissioner Umer Afridi, DIG Qudratullah Marwat and Brig Haneef Khan of Thall Brigade HQs summoned the peace committee members in Hangu and asked them to convey the ceasefire decision to their groups.

Meanwhile, security personnel were being deployed along the Kohat-Hangu border and in city areas to enforce the peace agreement and provide security to local people.

It may be mentioned that security on the Kohat-Hangu highway has been handed over to army. Troops have set up control rooms on the Kohat-Hangu highway, Juzara rest house on the border with Kohat and in Hangu.

In Islamabad, President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the armed clashes in Hangu and expressed grief over the loss of precious lives.

He directed the authorities concerned to take effective steps to end the fighting.