KALAYA, Nov 19: At least 10 militants were killed and several others injured as helicopter gunships pounded hideouts of militants for hours on Saturday in different areas of Upper Kurram.

Taliban strongholds and hideouts in Adokhel, Mir Kalamkhel, Jabba, Sama Bazaar and Mamozai came under attack. The shelling was so intense at times that people started leaving their areas.

The large-scale shelling continued for the fifth day running in Mamozai, forcing hundreds of people to leave their homes and move to safe areas.

Syed Zamin, a tribesman who fled Mamozai, told journalists that the situation in Sama Bazaar, Arghanjo, Mir Kalamkhel, Adokhel, Jabba, Khunzadgan Kalli and other areas was serious and continued shelling by helicopters and artillery had forced people to hide in bunkers and other safe places in their houses.

He said that during a break in the shelling a large number of people started fleeing the areas, adding that displaced people were facing great hardship because all key routes had been closed by security forces.

Several hideouts were destroyed and a militant training centre was also razed. Four hideouts were destroyed in Akhun Kot area in a clash and a huge cache of arms was seized.

According to security sources, 10 militants were killed and several others injured in the shelling.