Taliban captures new areas in NWFP's Buner District

ISLAMABAD: Expanding its activities in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan, armed militants have reportedly entered new areas of Bagra and Kalabatt in Buner.

They have taken Kalabatt village Bagra police post and a government school under their control, and people have started fleeing from the region in search of safer places, the Dawn reported.

Perturbed by the sudden invasion of the Taliban in the region, the local jirga elders and the district administration officials including leaders of Tehrik Nefaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) have tried to convince the Talibani commanders to leave the area as they would be provided a safe passage.

The commaders have, however, refused to vacate the region saying that the high command has ordered their 'Tashkeel' (stay) in the area.

Sources said it is highly unlikely that the militants would leave the valley as they have established their headquarters in Buner, and were considering holding a peace march in the district to monitor the affairs in accordance with the Nizam-i -Adl Regulation.

Around a dozen people have been killed in violent clashes between locals and Taliban militants till now in Buner District.

The violence broke out on Monday evening when locals constituted a Lashkar for defending their areas from intruding Taliban militants.

The Taliban militants have also shot dead three policemen, including an Assistant Sub Inspector and one civilian in the violent clashes.