KHAR, Sept 27: Sixteen militants were killed and several others were injured on Saturday in fierce fighting between security forces and local Taliban in Bajaur.

Residents and Frontier Corps sources told Dawn that “hundreds of militants” attacked security posts in Tang Khatha, Kausar, Rashkai, and Khazana of tehsil Khar early in the morning. The skirmishes continued for three hours till 8 am.

Security forces targeted positions of militants with mortar and cannon shells. Helicopter gunships also pounded suspected hideouts of militants.

Later, jet fighters rushed to the area shelling and bombing militants’ positions till late in the night, silencing the militants’ guns.

The gunbattle was so fierce that windowpanes of several houses got smashed, a resident said, adding that thick smoke was seen billowing in the air from places which were bombed.

However, just a few minutes after Iftar, militants regrouped and responded with heavy weapons.

The FC sources said that 16 militants were killed and over 22 were injured in the crossfire till Saturday night.

Earlier in the day, security officials claimed that the troops had reached near Delay, a stronghold of Taliban, just one kilometre from Lowi Sam and cleared Karela, Nisarabad, Rashakai, Kausar and Khazana and areas near Lowi Sam of militants.

However, independent sources said security forces were facing stiff resistance in these areas.