LADHA, June 10: Seven people, among them two women and a child, were killed and seven others injured when security forces launched a crackdown against militants in Wana and adjoining areas, sources said.

The crackdown was carried out apparently after a rocket attack on a paramilitary camp near Wana bazaar on Saturday night killed one security man and injured another. The areas dominated by Ahmadzai Wazir tribe are largely under the control of pro-government militant `commander’ Mullah Nazir.No group claimed responsibility for the attack on security forces.

Officials belonging to the political administration said that rocket attacks were launched from three sides which left a paramilitary soldier dead and another injured.

Security forces used heavy artillery and machine guns to repulse the attacks.

They said sporadic gunfight continued for hours in which both sides used mortars, rockets, artillery and heavy machineguns.

The injured were taken to hospital in Wana.

Later, the political administration imposed a curfew in the area.

Local people said that army and paramilitary forces backed by tanks and armoured personnel carriers encircled the main town in the morning.

Helicopter gunships kept hovering over the area, but did not fire. Locals said several houses were damaged during the fighting.

Security forces destroyed offices of `commander’ Malang and `commander’ Shamsullah, who had been recently killed in a US drone attack. Two hotels and three shops were also destroyed.

An official said that seven suspects were captured during the crackdown.