Eight militants killed in Khyber Agency

BARA: Eight militants were killed when jet fighters hit their hideouts in the Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency near the Pak-Afghan border, official sources said on Tuesday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), through a statement, said that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets pounded the sanctuaries of militants belonging to the Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the Kukikhel area of Tirah Valley.

They said at least eight militants were killed and two hideouts were also destroyed in the attack.Meanwhile, security forces handed back the Bara Bazaar to the civil administration after clearing the area of militants.

Officials said traders and shopkeepers could now reopen their businesses in Bara Bazaar. 

He further added that majority of internally displaced persons from the Khyber Agency, particularly belonging to the Bara Tehsil, had also returned to their homes except the Sipah tribe.The Bara Bazaar was closed down six years ago when security forces launched operations against the militants.

Also, 11 militants belonging to the Sipah tribe surrendered to security forces and political administration in Bara Tehsil. The sources said three militants surrendered to security forces on Monday while eight more militants laid down their arms and surrendered to the political administration on Tuesday.