LAKKI MARWAT/SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Three terrorists were killed and several others were injured in a gun battle with police backed by armed villagers in Khankhel Mandozai area of Lakki Marwat district on Sunday.

An official said that police and locals started chasing militants after noticing their presence in the remote rural locality on Saturday night. `On Sunday, law enforcers besieged around 24 terrorists in the forest located between Tajori and Bragai areas at 10:45am, resulting in a fierce gunfight,` he said. He added that exchange of fire continued for two hours as both sides used heavy weapons.

He said that along with armed members of peace committee, additional police personnel including commandos of Elite Force and Quick Response Force, led by DPO Mohammad Jawad Ishaq, also reached the area and took part in the operation.

`During exchange of fire, three terrorists were neutralised and several were injured, claimed the official. He added that a search was under way in the forest for injured militants.

The DPO said in a statement that following the directives of IGP Zulfiqar Hameed, police were fighting the menace of terrorism in front line. Hepraised people for standing with police and said that their cooperation strengthened police, enabling them to eliminate terrorists.

`Though police are facing cowardly and dastardly acts of terrorists in LakkiMarwat district, the effective and strong response by police have made anti-terrorism operations successful and result-oriented, he said.

He said that locals exhibited unprecedented bravery by fighting alongside police against terrorists.

IGP Zulfiqar Hameed also lauded the policemen, who took part in the operation, for their bravery and announced cash rewards and commendation certificates for them. He also thanked locals for standing alongside police in antiterrorism operation.

In South Waziristan, three attackers were killed and a policeman and a minor girl got injuries while two policemen were abducted when terrorists attacked their homes on Sunday.

Sources said that in a series of coordinated attacks by militants, homes of three police personnel in Toor Deb, Bero Kach and Spin Tangi villages of Toi Khullah tehsil of Lower South Wazristan were targeted in the small hours of Sunday.

They said that attackers appeared to have a premeditated plan to target police officers. During the assaults,two police constables Hamid Shah and Ashraf Dottani were abducted by terrorists. Gunfire also resulted in injuries to another police officer and a minor girl that created panic and fear among locals.

The residence of additional SHO Karim was attacked where local Dottani tribesmen swiftly engaged the attackers.

As a result of retaliation, three terrorists were killed on the spot while one sustained injuries. The bodies of the killed terrorists were taken into custody by local tribes.

DPO Asif Bahadur confirmed the incidents, saying comprehensive investigations were launched and all aspects of the attacks were being examined. He said that efforts were under way to recover the abducted policemen with close coordination among local elders, police and security forces. Joint operations are reportedly being considered.

Security across the district was beefed up after the attacks. Checkpoints at entry and exit points of the district were reinforced and search operations were launched in some areas.

Local sources said that militants were regrouping and attempting to instill fear among people by challenging the writ of the state in the district. `The attacks are seen as an attempt to shake the confidence of both people and state institutions,` they added.