The security forces launched a ‘targeted operation’ against terrorists in Bara tehsil of Khyber agency and demolished 35 hideouts besides recovering an arms cache on Saturday, official sources said.

The forces searched Malik deen khel area seen as stronghold of banned private militia Lashkar-e-Islam,

“It was a good day for the security forces as several terrorists hideouts were demolished and 12 suspects were arrested,” official sources said.

The latest surge in hostilities in Bara also triggered internal displacement of civilians and unofficial figures put the number of such families at 1,000 while the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said around 300 families from Khyber Agency were listed in Jalozai Camp.

“All the relevant organisations are asked to provide full assistance to the displaced families,” Shakeel Qadir Khan, PDMA director-general said in a press statement.

The security forces seized 34 mortar shells, 34 rockets and vehicles during the search operation, the sources added.