KOHAT, July 26 Security forces arrested 20 militants belonging to banned religious outfits during an operation and secured release of four government officials here on Sunday.

According to sources, the militants were involved in terrorist activities and had links with the Taliban. The forces arrested four militants from Teerah Bazaar and sixteen from different parts of the main bazaar. They belonged to the banned Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan and Jaish-i-Mohammad.

The militants were pushed into army vehicles with tinted glasses and whisked away to the joint investigation centre after a 50-minute quick operation.

Heavily armed security personnel swiftly entered the main bazaar during rush hours and sealed the Tehsil Square which leads to Teerah and other bazaars, and different residential areas. People from the tribal areas and remote parts of the district stay in the Teerah Bazaar hotels mostly.

Officials said that the raids were conducted on the information that extremist elements were planning bomb attacks on the police and army in the district. They accused were also involved in cases of kidnapping and had targeted non-governmental organisations and girl schools in the region.

The militants were reportedly bomb-making experts. They were involved in targeting security forces.

Before the operation in the city, the police officials were reportedly not taken into confidence. Panic gripped the city on the occasion. It was the second incident when security forces didn't take help of the police department during operation against militants.

“The only reason to act so secretly is to avoid leakage of information,” an official said, adding that the operations on both occasions were successful.

Meanwhile, in Lachi town, security forces safely released four government officials from the hideouts of the Taliban after intense battle followed by arrest of the militants.

MAN HURT A man was seriously injured when a rocket fired by militants hit a house in Jungle Khel area of Kohat city on late Saturday night.

Injured Ameer Khan was taken to the KDA Divisional Headquarters Hospital for treatment. Officials said that the rocket was fired from the mountains of Darra Adamkhel few hours after helicopter gunships targeted Taliban positions.