Islamabad, July 18: Taliban fighters have resurfaced and begun conducting armed patrols in Buner district near the restive Swat valley, months after the Pakistani army claimed that the region had been cleared of militants, a media report said today. Taliban cadres have been carrying out armed patrols on roads in Buner district and established a check post at Pacha Killay over the past few days, local residents were quoted as saying by The News daily.
People of the area said militants established a check post beside a stream at a spot between Pacha Killay and Balo Khan a few days ago. They checked people at the post, singling out government officials and their opponents.
“The checkpoint was set up a few days ago but removed after shelling by security forces. However, they have set it up again and checked people here on Friday,” a resident said.
People also said some 250 to 300 Taliban fighters stormed Pacha Killay a couple of days ago. The militants reportedly took away cash cards given to displaced people to obtain Rs 25,000 from state-run banks.
Local residents said militants were active in many parts of Buner district, including Pir Baba, Mula Banda, Dokada, Malikpur, Balo Khan, Hisar and Gokand. However, the Frontier Corps, which is leading anti-militancy operations in Buner, denied reports that the Taliban had set up a check post.
It also played down concerns about the regrouping of militants. .
—PTI—