Pakistani troops take control of northwest town from Taliban
Pakistani security forces on Wednesday took control of a town in Swat valley after the Taliban withdrew from the area following days of fierce fighting.
By PTI |
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces on Wednesday took control of a town in Swat valley after the Taliban withdrew from the area following days of fierce fighting, the military said, even as three security personnel were killed in a militant attack elsewhere in the restive northwest region.
Locals said the Taliban militants retreated from the Koza Bandai area after tribal elders brokered a deal. Pakistan army has denied any deal but said local elders were in dialogue with the militants.
An army spokesman in Mingora, a major city in Swat, said the troops took control over the area "after 14 days of successful operation against militants".
"The security forces have taken full control of the Koza Bandai area and have started cleaning the land mines and defusing explosive materials," Col Nadeem told mediapersons.
He said security forces entered the area along with the members of the peace committees.
Member of the peace jirga (council) Inamur Rehman said three committees comprising eight members each were constituted for the purpose of ensuring peace in the area.
In Kabal sub-district of Swat, three security personnel were killed in a combined attack by a suicide bomber and Taliban fighters on a check-post. The bomber detonated his explosive-laden car near the building, following which a large number of militants attacked it with heavy weapons.
Meanwhile, security forces arrested four persons believed to be responsible for carrying out an explosion at a bridge in Khawzakhela area of Swat, officials said.
Locals said the Taliban militants retreated from the Koza Bandai area after tribal elders brokered a deal. Pakistan army has denied any deal but said local elders were in dialogue with the militants.
An army spokesman in Mingora, a major city in Swat, said the troops took control over the area "after 14 days of successful operation against militants".
"The security forces have taken full control of the Koza Bandai area and have started cleaning the land mines and defusing explosive materials," Col Nadeem told mediapersons.
He said security forces entered the area along with the members of the peace committees.
Member of the peace jirga (council) Inamur Rehman said three committees comprising eight members each were constituted for the purpose of ensuring peace in the area.
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In Kabal sub-district of Swat, three security personnel were killed in a combined attack by a suicide bomber and Taliban fighters on a check-post. The bomber detonated his explosive-laden car near the building, following which a large number of militants attacked it with heavy weapons.
Meanwhile, security forces arrested four persons believed to be responsible for carrying out an explosion at a bridge in Khawzakhela area of Swat, officials said.
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