GHALANAI, Jan 22: Gunship helicopters attacked several suspected Taliban positions on Thursday, killing seven people, four of them women and two children, in the Mohmand tribal region.

According to local people, a bomb hit the house of tribesman Zain Khan in Shekhan area, killing two women.

Another two houses were hit in Ghunget Choher village of Lakaro sub-division, killing two women, two children and a man.

Security forces launched the operation in the region last week after coming under militant attacks.

Officials said that more than 60 militants had been killed in the offensive launched in areas adjacent to the Bajaur tribal region. The official claim has not been independently confirmed.

The killing of civilians has angered the people who complain that they are being killed in the operation against Taliban.

Meanwhile, according to our Correspondent in Khar, volunteers of a tribal Lashkar in the Salarzai area of Bajaur tribal region have claimed to have seized a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from Taliban hideouts on Thursday. The lashkar also captured some suspects.

Sources said that preparations were under way for an operation in the Mamond subdivision and troops were seen heading towards the area considered to be a stronghold of Taliban.

They said that paramilitary forces were building bunkers in the area and setting up posts on hills. Troops were being airlifted by helicopters to positions on hills.

It may mentioned that militants had announced that they would resist troops entering the area. Security forces demolished the house of local militant Pervez Khan who had vacated it before the arrival of troops.