KHAR: Twenty militants and three Lashkar men were killed and several others injured when fierce fighting erupted between volunteers of the armed tribal force and the Taliban in Charmang area of Nawagai Tehsil in Khar subdivision of the violence-hit Bajaur Agency on Sunday.

Sources said that firing between the militants positioned on the hilltops and armed men of the tribal Lashkar continued throughout the day in Charmang, Kotki and Chinar areas of Nawagai Tehsil. Both the parties targeted each other’s positions with heavy weapons in these areas that left 20 militants and three Lashkar men dead and many others injured.

Gunship helicopters and jets also blitzed Rashkai and Loisam areas of Khar subdivision and Charmang, Kotki and Chinar areas of Nawagai Tehsil, destroying several hideouts of militants. Also, the security forces pounded positions of militants in these areas with artillery shells.

On the other hand, the Lashkar torched seven houses of militants in different areas of Charmang, one of the strongholds of the militants, in Nawagai Tehsil. In retaliation, the militants also set on fire three houses of Lashkar elders, destroying them completely.

However, the names of the affected elders and reports about the casualties could not be ascertained. Meanwhile, a Jirga held in Charmang decided to expedite action against the militants and miscreants. Besides elders and Maliks, thousands of Lashkar men also attended the Jirga.

The Jirga resolved that the tribesmen would extend full support to the security forces in the ongoing operation against the militants. They vowed that the tribal armed force would attack those found involved in militancy and other criminal activities.

Tribal Lashkars in Mamond Tehsil and Mandal area of Salarzai subdivision also continued operation against the militants in their respective areas. They destroyed several houses of suspected militants by setting them ablaze.