KOHAT, Jan 22: Militants continued attacks for the 13th day on the Kotal FC checkpost on the hilly track from the Bostikhel area of Darra Adamkhel, which is regarded as the main hurdle for their entry into Kohat.

The military retaliated with heavy gunfire, forcing the militants to disappear again into the mountains along the Orakzai Agency border.

The militants had blown up all security posts and Khasadar posts in Darra Adamkhel last year following demolition of Taliban commanders’ headquarters and houses in the military operation. But the small fort-like Kotal FC checkpost on the border between Kohat and Darra Adamkhel on the old Indus Highway is standing as a bulwark even without three walls.

The military had deployed large numbers of troops there, supported by artillery from the Kohat side, to save it from falling to the Taliban. It was occupied by the Taliban last year after killing four FC men and kidnapping eight others who were also killed later. But the forces regained its control after a fierce battle.

Meanwhile, the Kohat bomb disposal squad collected and destroyed 97 unexploded bombs and rockets of various types, which had not exploded during the four-day Hangu battle.

The bomb disposal squad collected the explosives from Pass Kalay, Khan Bari, Shahu Chowk, Railway Station, Ganjiano Kalay, Syed Anwar Banda, Syedano Banda, Sangerh and Chashmai.

The explosives, including 84 mortars, seven RPG7, three 107MM rockets and three hand grenades, were destroyed at a safe place on Thursday.

ROAD BLOCKED: Residents of the Mohammadzai area blocked the Kohat-Hangu highway for one hour in protest against an attack on them by ‘illegal’ occupants of their land on Thursday.

They were led by Haji Gul, chairman of the Public Safety Committee constituted by the local police.

Earlier, they held a jirga against Bezote tribesmen who had “constructed houses on their land and were expanding their colonies” since 1970 despite several clashes and police action.

They accused the Bezote tribesmen of running business of drugs and arms in the area.

Unidentified people had hurled a grenade on the peace committee members patrolling the area, after which both the parties had exchanged fire. However, there was no casualty.