| The Taliban on Wednesday vacated the Kooza Bandai area of Kabal tehsil after negotiations with local elders. Representatives of the peace jirga in Kanjoo had been holding talks with the Taliban for the last three days. Locals said they agreed to vacate the area after the jirga assured them that security forces would not enter it. Three teams of nine people each have been formed by the local elders and the security forces to comb the area for landmines and other arsenal. Meanwhile, three civilians were killed in the forces' shelling in Kabal. Security forces arrested four men from Kahwazakhela district during a search operation. Official sources said the men were suspected of having blown up a bridge. |