KALAYA, Aug 31: Fourteen militants, among them a key ‘commander’, were killed and seven others injured in gunbattles with security forces in Upper Orakzai on Friday.

Sources said the clash between government forces and militants at Gul Kadda area in Mamozai erupted at around 11am during which both sides used heavy weapons.

Security forces claimed that eight militants, including a commander, were killed and four others injured in the gunbattle.  The injured militants were taken into custody and shifted to an undisclosed location.

Six militants were killed and three others injured when security forces targeted their hideouts with artillery shelling.

Meanwhile, a prominent leader of Ferozkhel tribe, Malak Zarin, was shot dead when he was returning home after offering Friday prayers.—Correspondent