The helicopter gunships targeted militant hideouts in Kasha, Shakar Tangi, Saifal Darra and Mamozai areas of Upper Orakzai tehsil. – Photo by AP (File)

KALAYA/LANDI KOTAL: Twelve militants were killed and six others injured when security forces backed by helicopter gunships pounded their hideouts in different areas of Orakzai tribal region on Wednesday.

The helicopter gunships targeted militant hideouts in Kasha, Shakar Tangi, Saifal Darra and Mamozai areas of Upper Orakzai tehsil.

Officials claimed that 12 militants were killed and six others sustained injuries in the shelling. They said three militant hideouts and two vehicles were also destroyed in the shelling.

Meanwhile, three children were killed when a mortar shell landed in a house in Bara on Wednesday, sources said.

It was learnt that security forces used heavy weapons and targeted militant positions after an armed clash with them in Malikdinkhel area.

Sources said that eight-year-old Ali and 10-year-old Hamza and Jilani were killed on the spot when a mortar shell hit the house of Gul Hamid in Malikdinkhel.

Local residents said that they faced difficulties in burial of the killed children as security forces had imposed curfew in the area after exchange of fire with militants.—Dawn Report