4 more perished and 8 others injured in the ongoing operation in Mohmand Agency

GHALLANAI: At least four people were killed and eight others sustained injuries on Sunday when artillery and helicopters’ shelling by security forces in the ongoing operation in different areas of the Mohmand Agency and nearby disputed 25 villages against Taliban militants of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP). Bhaota, Mulla Khel, Yakh Dhand and Qayumabad were chiefly targeted in tehsil Lakarro and several hideouts in tehsils of Anbar and Pindiali were heavily bombarded from Headquarters, Ghallanai and Bhai Dag, Khawaizai. In Dawaizai area, three persons were killed and three others injured when artillery shells landed on different houses. Similarly one person each was killed in Yakh Dhand and Bhaota villages. In the lower disputed villages of the Mohmand Agency near Shabqadar, Frontier Corps and Troops of army continued shelling on the suspected hideouts of militants in Juma Khan korona, Badi, Qilla Shah Baig and Shno Ghundai but several common people also came under fire and one person identified as Rahimdad son of Namos in Angor Kor while three others, including two women, sustained serious injuries. People of the area have strongly protested against and demanded stoppage of collateral damage in the operation. The locals have been demanding for the relaxation in curfew being imposed since the first suicide attack on Nehqi Check point on Oct 26, which has caused immense difficulties to the tribesmen. A great shortage of the food items and other necessities has added to the miseries of locals. Tribesmen mostly women and children are traveling on foot to the safer places due to the closure of roads for the last few weeks.