[The News (Pak)] Seventeen militants were killed in clashes with security forces in Sanghra area in lower parts of Orakzai Agency late on Thursday, tribal and official sources said.The sources said security forces launched an operation in lower parts of Orakzai Agency to purge the area of militants. Security forces continued their advance in Sanghra area and killed 17 militants during a clash.
Security forces also claimed to have arrested an important militant in the action. Meanwhile, elders of Sheikhan and Mishtikhel tribes, including Malik Qabal Khan, Malik Abdul Ghafoorzada and Malik Qayyum, demanded of the government to stop security forces from hitting civilian population in Mishti Mela, Sanghra and Mishti Bazaar areas.
They said the government should give time to the residents of the areas to vacate their houses before the launch of the military operation, adding that some of the migrating people were also killed in shelling by gunship helicopters.
Meanwhile, three persons were kidnapped at gunpoint in Ghalo Cheena area of Hangu on Friday, local sources said. The sources said three persons, whose identity could not be ascertained, were on their way back home when unidentified armed men kidnapped them.
The police, however, expressed ignorance about the incident. Earlier in March, six persons, including an official of Khassadar Force, were kidnapped from the same place last month. The kidnapper killed three hostages while the rest were released after paying ransom.