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Security forces extend state’s writ in Swat

* Establish checkposts at Bara Bandai and Ningolai

By Saleem Athar

MINGORA: There was no letup in the military operation in Swat district on Saturday, with security forces claiming to have killed fleeing pro-Taliban militants as the state’s writ was extended to several more parts of Mingora city, officials said.

“The security forces, after succeeding in various parts of Swat and surrounding areas, have now established two checkposts at Bara Bandai and Ningolai,” a government spokesman said at a media briefing.

The spokesman said that local police and security forces also gained control of the Kanju-Shakardara Road and were patrolling it to cover the exit routes of militants.

He did not specify how many militants were killed in extensive artillery fire on Friday night in the Piochar area, north of Matta and northeast of Charbagh/Khawazakhela. “Reportedly, [a] large number of terrorists have been killed and injured by artillery fire,” the spokesman told the briefing.

Sources said fresh reinforcements continued to pour into the district with heavy weapons, armoured personnel carriers and artillery. The reinforcements come as security forces strengthen their positions around Mingora city and surrounding hilltops to restrict the militants’ movement.

The Frontier Corps and Frontier Constabulary personnel were manning the Bara Bandai and Ningolai checkposts to keep the movement of militants in check and to apprehend fleeing miscreants, the spokesman said.

According to a local administration official, the Frontier Corps was helping displaced residents by providing them relief goods at temporary shelters in Mingora city.

The displaced families, who are now returning to their homes after the successful military operation, were trucked away by vehicles hired by the government for the purpose, official sources said.

Despite steady progress against the militants, the security forces have yet to take control of Charbagh, Manglwar, Matta, Khawazakhela and some villages of Kabal tehsil, which are still under the control of militants.

The army has launched a major offensive in Swat in the last two weeks to drive out followers of Maulana Fazlullah, the radical pro-Taliban cleric in charge of the militants. Fazlullah, known also as “Mullah FM” because he ran an illegal radio channel to spread his ideas, wants imposition of Shariah in Swat.

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