CHARSADDA / GHALANAI, Nov 14: Security forces, backed by helicopters and tanks, have launched an operation to flush out militants from areas around Charsadda and Peshawar as part of a wider plan to establish the government’s writ in Mohmand Agency.

There were conflicting reports about casualties. While officials claimed that 21 militants had been killed and several others wounded in the operation launched on Thursday night, local people said seven militants and six civilians died in a gunbattle.

One soldier was killed and another injured.

Three children were injured when a boat carrying 40 people displaced from the area because of clashes capsized in Haji Zai River.

A curfew has been clamped on parts of Charsadda, Peshawar and Mohmand and people in large numbers are leaving the area.

According to some people in Shabqadar, security personnel warned them at 11am to leave the area within 30 minutes and helicopters started shelling the area soon after. A curfew has been imposed on the town.

With Cobra helicopters flying overhead, troops backed by tanks were seen advancing towards Pir Qalla, Juma Khan Korona and Michni areas considered to be hubs of militants.Local people said helicopters and tanks attacked suspected hideouts of militants in 25 villages of Yaka Ghund subdivision adjacent to Mohmand Agency. The villages were made part of the settled areas of the NWFP about 10 years ago.

Taliban had set up their own courts and administration in the villages with a combined population of about 30,000 and turned them into a virtual ‘no-go area’. A few months back, an alleged kidnapper was executed there in the presence of a large crowd.

Helicopters destroyed an explosive-laden vehicle of militants in Badai Korona, killing six people. The house of a Taliban leader was destroyed in Qala Shah Begg.

Forces captured some strongholds of militants in Rashakai and Juma Khan Korona and advanced towards Michni.

A schoolboy was killed while fleeing the violence-hit area.

At least five civilians were wounded.

A large number of men, women and children were stranded in the areas because of heavy shelling and curfew.

Army and paramilitary personnel were deployed in the northern outskirts of Peshawar and in parts of Charsadda district. Security personnel set up checkpoints and stopped displaced people from leaving the areas.

Some residents of Bhai Korona village in Mohmand Agency appealed to the law-enforcement personnel to relax the curfew for a few hours to allow them to leave. “My parents and two sisters are waiting for curfew relaxation so that they can leave for Peshawar,” said Shahnawaz Khan, a Peshawar-based journalist.

He said some people were stranded because of exchange of fire between militants and security personnel and intense shelling.

Helicopter gunships and heavy artillery also shelled militants’ hideouts in Lakaro subdivision of Mohmand Agency adjoining Bajaur.Sources said a man was killed and two other people were injured when security personnel opened fire on a motorcycle.

The bases of militants in Qanadaro and Karier areas were destroyed.

A government school was attacked in Sandokhel. Sources said the school had been taken over by the militants.