LANDI KOTAL, April 5: Three commanders of Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) were killed in fighting with Zakhakhel tribal lashkar in Tirah valley, according to reports reaching here on Tuesday.

Sources said that the tribal lashkar killed Khan Zakhakhel, the suspected head of the LI execution squad, along with his family after torching his house on the second day of fighting. The sources claimed that Khan Zakhakhel carried out executions on the orders of Mangal Bagh.

Two other LI commanders, Mula Zahuruddin and Policai (real name not known) were also killed along with Khan.

Another two LI commanders reportedly surrendered to the Zakhakhel lashkar in Bar Qambar Khel and Brug areas, after the latter took control of Ziarhai heights.

It was also learnt that Ansaarul Islam volunteers re-established control over the Sandapal area after Zakhakhel tribesmen, previously loyal to LI, had abandoned the area. The LI had ousted Ansaar from Sandapal three years ago after a fierce gunbattle.Meanwhile, the political administration in Landi Kotal has held consultations with Zakhakhel elders and assured them of the government support against Mangal Bagh. A Zakhakhel elder, however, told Dawn on condition of anonymity that they were skeptical about the government’s policy and promises.

“We want the government to give us a firm assurance about our security and only then the Zakhakhel tribe will devise a strategy against militants,” he said.

Meanwhile, a suspected militant and a local tribesman were killed when militants exchanged fire with residents in Teer Mela area of Tirah. Sources said that the clash started over hoisting of flags atop houses after reports about a rift in Lashkar-i-Isalm.

GHALANAI: Two government schools and a basic health unit were blown up in different areas of tehsil Haleemzai in Mohmand tribal region on Tuesday.

Local people and officials said that a boys’ primary school in Shaha Beg area and a boys’ primary school and basic health unit in Mominabad area were blown up with explosives on Tuesday morning. So far, the security agencies have failed to trace the miscreants, who completely destroyed the buildings. About 300 children were enrolled in both the schools.

KOHAT: A farmer was killed when a rocket fired by militants at a military checkpost exploded in a field in Akhorwal area of Darra Adam Khel on Tuesday.Officials said that the militants fired a rocket at a security checkpost near government degree college in Akhorwal area of Darra, which missed the target and exploded in fields where a tribal farmer Dilawar Khan was working on his land. He was seriously injured in the explosion and later died in a hospital.

In Kohat, the bomb disposal squad defused a mortar found near Gulu Bera on a roadside in Junglekhel town. The mortar was safely exploded in the mountains of Janan Baba.