PESHAWAR, Aug 6: At least 14 people, a union council nazim among them, were arrested and three security personnel were injured when law-enforcement agencies launched an operation against militants and criminals in the southern suburbs of the provincial capital on Wednesday.

The operation was launched after militants opened fire on police during a flag march in Mathani near the tribal region of Darra Adamkhel.

Peshawar police chief Dr Mohammad Suleman told Dawn that UC Nazim Abdul Malik and 13 other people had been arrested for firing on police.

He said the nazim’s residence had been demolished because police had come under fire from there.

“It was a joint operation of police backed by the Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary with two tanks and gunship helicopters,” he said.

He said the militants had attacked the police from three directions with rocket launchers and heavy weapons.

Police found the body of a man in police uniform.

He had been slaughtered and police believed he was a drug trafficker kidnapped by militants a few days ago from Darra Adamkhel.

According to officials, the Mathani police station was attacked with heavy weapons on Tuesday night.

The building was damaged and a Frontier Constabulary man was injured. Police repulsed the attack and the militants fled.

“The militants again attacked a flag march of police in the area on Wednesday morning with more might after which the Peshawar city police chief, who was leading the march, had to seek help of gunship helicopters and back-up from the Frontier Corps,” an official said.

Sub-inspector Jehanzeb and a constable Tariqullah were injured.

Another official said the security forces had targeted militants’ hideouts and destroyed the houses from where police had been attacked.

He said police had seized a pick-up of the militants.

He said the body in police uniform had been thrown in the area probably to attract police and ambush them but the attempt was foiled.

He said the nazim had been arrested for providing shelter to outlaws.

Rumours that a woman had also been arrested were denied by the police chief.

He said that security forces were in control of the area and the operation could be extended to other parts of the city.