LANDI KOTAL, Aug 25: Three civilians were killed and nine others injured when mortar shells hit residential compounds in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency on Saturday, rescue workers said. According to the sources, those killed and injured in the incident in Qamberkhel area were taken to the Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Local people said it was not clear where mortar shells had been fired from.

A worker of the Al Khidmat Foundation said three bodies were retrieved from the rubble.

Security forces blamed militant groups for the attack, saying they were targeting civilians to punish them for supporting the military in recent operations against the insurgents.

AP adds: Officials said two mortars fired by suspected militants hit two homes, killing six civilians.

Government administrator Iqbal Khan said 12 people were also injured in the attack.