KOHAT, April 3: Five top ‘commanders’ of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan were among 10 militants who were killed in a gunbattle with security forces on Sunday. The fighting, which was triggered by an attack on security forces in Tor Chapar village of Darra Adamkhel, lasted nine hours and also left an officer and a havaldar dead.

Five terrorists surrendered to security forces who had cordoned off the village when the clash began. The killed ‘commanders’ were identified as Qari Ikramullah, second in command of TTP Amir for Darra Adamkhel and Khyber Agency; Sarfraz Ayubi, Qari Mubeen, Qari Javed and Abdul Manan.

Officials said that security forces had launched a search operation on Sunday morning in the village. Militants opened fire which left Lieutenant Farhan Ali and Havaldar Mumtaz dead.