KHAR, Aug 25: At least 28 militants and four members of the Salarzai Qaumi Lashkar were killed and 10 militants and four security personnel injured as the fighting continued for the second day on Saturday along the border area of Batwar in Bajaur Agency, local and official sources said.

The militants from across the Afghan border entered again the Pakistani area on Saturday and attacked the border village of the Salarzai tribe in Batwar.

“A large number of militants, who had escaped from the area following yesterday’s retaliatory action by the forces, re-entered the area and attacked the village and the posts of the Salarzai Qaumi Lashkar,” local people told Dawn.

They said the attackers had set up several posts in the mountains and attacked the houses of peace committee members.

“Hundreds of volunteers and security personnel fired back and killed 28 militants,” an official of the local administration said.

He said at least 15 attackers were arrested and several hideouts and posts of the militants were destroyed during the action which continued from 9am to 5pm.

The official said that four volunteers of the Salarzai Qaumi Lashkar identified as Zairulalh, Ihsanullah, Imran and Khan Wali died in the fighting and four security personnel Maher Gul, Kifait, Mohammad Khan and Sher Bahadar injured.

He said the forces and the volunteers had started movement towards the border areas and cordoned off the militants.

“The forces have taken over control of the area after successful operation against the attackers and several new posts have been set up in different parts of the region,” the official said.

A large number of people have vacated their homes and shifted to safer areas in the region.