The security forces on Saturday killed seven militants and injured scores of others during a daylong operation in Koza Bandai area of restive Swat Valley, while the militants killed an activist of the Awami National Party (ANP).According to ISPR, the security forces pounded the suspected hideouts of the militants in Koza Bandai and Kotlai areas of the Kabal Tehsil with artillery and gunship helicopters. It said the forces killed seven militants and inflicted injuries on scores of others during a daylong operation. During a gunfight with the militants near Koza Bandai, two personnel of the security forces sustained injuries, the ISPR said.
Continuing the siege of Koza Bandai, the security forces shelled the suspected positions of the Taliban militants but no loss of life was reported.
Artillery shelling by security forces in different locations and clashes in Kanju left four persons injured while several houses were damaged in Koza Bandai. A suspected militant, Bakht Afsar, wounded in the same village was taken into custody by police from Saidu Sharif Hospital. The forces targeted the alleged hideouts of the insurgents in Sar Banda area of Matta, but the militants did not suffer casualties.
Meanwhile, a reconciliatory committee of Kanju held talks with the Taliban in Dherai to seek a solution to the multiplying problems of the people of Koza Bandai. The area has been under curfew for last 12 days creating food shortage in the holy month of Ramazan besides causing other problems. The committee succeeded to secure a one-day ceasefire in the area, but the ISPR has shown indifference to the development.
Chief of Taliban militants in Swat Valley, Maulana Fazlullah, also talked to the committee members on phone and made it clear that the militants would not leave Koza Bandai, as it was their native village. He said instead the security forces should leave the valley, which would also ensure durable peace in Swat.
Meanwhile, militants picked up a police constable from Charbagh and shifted him to an unknown location. They had already kidnapped 38 personnel of the security forces who they wanted to be swapped for their 70 fellows arrested by the security forces.
On the other hand, continuing to target the ANP, the militants killed another activist of the party, Abdul Latif, in his home in Pishtonai on Saturday. The ANP activist was a schoolteacher by profession.
Curfew remained in force on the 11th straight day in Kabal, deteriorating food shortage in the area. People continued leaving for safer places on Saturday but curfew and closure of roads hampered their migration. Curfew was relaxed from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm in the valley.