GHALANAI/LANDI KOTAL, Sept 11: Three persons, including a soldier, were killed and nine injured in fresh clashes in Mohmand Agency on Sunday, sources said.

They said that volunteer of an anti-Taliban tribal lashkar and a militant were also among the dead. The security forces and tribal lashker launched action against militants in Soran Darra and Kodakhel area of the tribal region, they added.

Sources said that three soldiers and six volunteers of the lashkar were injured in landmine explosions while body of a tribesman was found in the area. The deceased was identified as Gul Mohammad.

Sources said that forces and volunteers of the tribal Lashkar captured several hilltops after heavy gunfight with militants. Troops were advancing towards the main hideouts of militants, they said.

Sources said that security forces and lashkar launched offensive against militants in Baizai area from two sides. Several areas were secured after fierce clashes between security forces and militants, they added.

Officials said that 85 landmines were defused during the action. The operation also caused displacement of civilians from the area.

In Khyber Agency, three persons, including two children, were killed and two others received injuries in three different incidents on Sunday.

Officials said that a minor boy was killed and two others were injured when a mortar shell hit a house near Landi Kotal-Torkham bypass early on Sunday morning.

They said that at least three mortar shells were fired by unidentified militants from the nearby hilltops. They said that possible target of militants was an army camp, which was missed by only few metres.

In another incident, a child was killed on the spot when he was hit by a passenger coach near Michni checkpost.

In Bara, officials said that they found bullet-riddled body of a young man at Karigarh Garhi. The deceased was kidnapped by unidentified abductors a day before.

Meanwhile, security forces and Khasadar Force established a security checkpost at Dro Adda in Akkakhel area of Bara tehsil.

Officials said that security forces succeeded in establishing a checkpoint at an important location for the first time since the launch of military operation in Bara two years ago.

They said that they also started a surgical operation in Akkakhel and adjoining areas with the assistance of local peace committee against suspect militants.

Akkakhel area has witnessed in the recent past a rapid surge in sabotage activities with militants frequently destroying government installations, including schools and bridges, and targeting convoys of security forces.

Officials said that the sphere of the targeted operation would be expanded to Shalobar and Sipah areas after eliminating militants in Akmakhel completely.