PARACHINAR/KALAYA/ KOHAT, July 22: Seven militants were killed and as many volunteers of tribal lashkar injured in a clash between militants and tribal people in central Kurram, while six militants were killed during a gunfight in Sherki area of Orakzai Agency on Friday, officials said.

They said that fresh clashes erupted between militants and tribal lashkar in Neka Ziarat area of central Kurram. Both sides used heavy weapons and the fire exchange continued for long time. As a result, seven militants were killed and nine others wounded. Seven volunteers also sustained injuries, the officials said.

The death toll reached 15 during the last five days, as the military operation continued in different areas of central Kurram for the last three weeks. The security forces had claimed that over 50 per cent areas were cleared of the militants and search operation was going on in rest of the region.

The officials said that so far 65 militants had been killed and several hideouts, training centres and tunnels were destroyed in the ongoing operation.

In Orakzai Agency, six militants were killed while two miscreants and a soldier wounded during a gunfight in Sherki area on Friday, officials said.

They said that the militants attacked an outpost in the area and in security forces' retaliation six militants were killed and two others wounded. One soldier identified as Omar also suffered injuries and was shifted to hospital in Kalaya, they said.

After the clash the security forces conducted a search operation and recovered heavy weapons and ammunition, the officials said.

Meanwhile, two houses were partially damaged when militants fired two mortars from mountains of Darra Adamkhel at the residential area of Jammu in the Frontier Region of Kohat on Friday, officials said.

They said that the tribal lashkar of Jawaki engaged militants near Paya tribal area where intense gunbattle took place. But nobody was hurt in the fighting and the militants escaped, the sources said.

One of the mortars hit the roof of a house while the other hit gate of another house. However, no loss of life was reported.

The officials said that in both the incidents serious damage was caused to the property inside the houses.

Officials of the political administration said that the militants had increased IED attacks and rocket fires at the FR villages of Jammu, Paya, and Jawaki located on Kohat district side after their expulsion from the nearby Darra Adamkhel town.

Meanwhile, senior military and Fata officials claimed that the reports about the death of Tariq Afridi, TTP amir of Darra Adamkhel, were correct and he had died when jets pounded Eidgah area in Orakzai Agency on the evening of May 31, 2011.

In response, the Tariq Afridi group had announced to release his video within a week to prove the claims of his killing wrong, sources said.