HANGU: Six civilians were killed and 13 others injured after mortar shells, fired by militants, landed in Durri Banda Bazaar during a security operation in different areas of Hangu district on Thursday.
According to officials, the operation against militants entered its second consecutive day in the areas of Zargari, Shinawari and Durri Banda.
District Police Officer Tariq Habib said in a statement that the operation was launched following reports about the presence of militants in the border areas between Hangu and Orakzai districts.
Hangu Deputy Commissioner Gohar Zaman Wazir stated that the security operation was ongoing, adding that mortar shells fired by militants caused heavy losses to the civilian population after hitting Durri Banda Bazaar.
He confirmed that six civilians lost their lives, while 13 others sustained injuries in the incident.
Medical Superintendent of District Headquarter Hospital, Dr Haleemur Rahman, said that six bodies and 13 injured persons were brought to the hospital.
He added that five critically injured individuals were referred to hospitals in Kohat and Peshawar for further treatment.
