KHAR: Seven more militants were killed on Tuesday in parts of Bajaur Agency, near the Afghan border, as security forces kept up their attempts to drive out the fighters from their hideouts.

The clashes between security forces and anti-militant tribal fighters on one hand and Afghanistan-based Pakistani militants took place in Batwar Khas, Chachagi, Kambeli, Tendo Dag and Kumbat areas of Salarzai tehsil. Both sides used heavy weapons.

Sources in the security forces claimed that seven militants were killed. Two volunteers of an anti-militant tribal group called Lashkar suffered injuries, according to locals.

They said militant infiltration from Kunar province of Afghanistan to Bajaur continued unabated.

Fresh groups of militants had replaced the tired ones, they said, adding that the stiff resistance being faced by the security forces and Lashkar indicated that militants were digging themselves in for a long fight.

The forces and the Lashkar have also not been able to seal the rugged terrain along the border, they said.

The militants frequently use secret routes to intrude into Bajaur from across the border.

Sources said jet fighters and helicopters had been unable to pin down the militants to their lairs in dense forests of Salarzai tehsil.

They said security forces would eventually regain control of the region and flush out the intruders if special commandoes were sent there, recalling a similar move in the Peuchar area of Swat during the military operation three years ago against militants loyal to Maulana Fazlullah.

MIGRATION: Migration of tribesmen from Batwar, Tendo Dag and Kumbat has not abated. A large number of people have vacated their houses and left the area in search of safety, sources said.