The suspects were handed over to special investigation teams for interrogation. — Photo by AP

KOHAT Five militants and 12 suspects were arrested on Sunday from western parts of the district following a rocket attack on the cantonment area, police said.

A rocket fired at the Kohat Cantonment landed in Bahawalnagar and partially damaged the house of Farhan. The inmates of the house escaped unhurt.

For the past one week the militants had been firing rockets into the city from Bezote area of Orakzai Agency. District Police Officer Dilawar Khan Bangash ordered a search operation after a recent attack. It was conducted in Ustarzai, Ublan, Ghamkol camp, Banda Fateh Khan, Kamal Khel, Tappi and Merozai.

At least five militants belonging to a banned religious organisation and 12 suspects were arrested along with weapons and drugs, according to a press release issued by the police media cell.

It quoted DPO Bangash as saying that most of the suspects were wanted in heinous crimes.

The seizure included three Kalashnikovs, five Kalakovs, seven pistols, two rifles, hundreds of cartridges, 50 bottles of liquor and one and a half kilogram of hashish.

The suspects were handed over to special investigation teams for interrogation.