[Dawn] Security forces killed six leading activists of the banned Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) militant organisation in different localities of Bara during a search and cordon operation on Thursday. The six were identified as Hazrat Muhammad, a shura member of the organisation and head of its 'court'; Abdul Khaliq, technical operator of LI's illegal FM radio station; Yarmat Khan, a nephew of LI chief Mangal Bagh; and Nawab Khan Akkakhel, Jalat Khan and Kamran who belonged to Bar Qambarkhel chapter of the organisation.
According to officials, the militants were killed in a shootout with security forces when they tried to escape after they had been captured. In a call made from an unspecified place, LI spokesman Haji Zar Khan claimed that all those killed were tribesmen detained during the search operation.