CHARSADDA/GHALLANAI: Five militants were killed, while nine persons, including five militants, sustained injuries during a gunbattle in Mian Kellay of Shabqadar Tehsil on Tuesday.

Sources said the security forces were conducting a search operation in Mian Kellay of Shabqadar Tehsil when a group of militants attacked them. An exchange of fire between the militants and personnel of the security forces continued for several hours, which left five militants dead and as many injured, while three others were arrested.

Separately, two women — Mrs Gul Said and Mrs Afzal — were killed when a shell hit a house in Norano Kellay.The residents of Norano Kellay told The News the security forces conducted house-to-house search in different villages, including Rashakai, Juma Khan Koroona, Shano Ghundo, Mian Kellay, Angoor Koroona and Ayesha Kor.

It was reported that people were migrating to safer places in Shimali Shna Ghar, Tangi tehsil, Harichand, Mandani and Ziyam. On the other hand, the Matta Mughalkhel Road and the main bazaar of Shabqadar remained closed due to curfew.

The security forces also targeted militants’ positions in different areas of Safi and lower Mohmand Tehsil with artillery and other heavy weapons. Sources said the security forces pounded suspected militants’ hideouts on hilltops and different areas of Safi and lower Mohmand with artillery from Ghallanai headquarters, Mamad Ghat and Michni camps. However, no casualty was reported from these areas.

Meanwhile, the Gandhab-Shabqadar road was opened for traffic for six hours but due to continued artillery shelling and firing people preferred not to come out of their homes. Reports pouring in from the troubled areas said because of the heavy shelling, many people had left for Nangarhar and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. The people were also using Lalpura route of Afghanistan and reaching Peshawar via Torkham border.