Local Taliban blew up a Frontier Constabulary (FC) fort in the Zargari area of Hangu on Monday, as security forces opened sporadic fire on suspected militant hideouts.Hangu District Naib Nazim Gul Karim told Daily Times that hundreds of Taliban bombed the FC fort.
| Taliban had allowed safe passage to the 40 FC personnel posted at the fort. ARY One World reported that the Taliban occupied the fort and snatched weapons from the FC personnel. |
Doaba curfew: The town of Doaba remained under curfew for the fifth consecutive day, paralysing the daily activities of local residents. However, the Hangu-Tall-Parachinar Road was opened to traffic.
Meanwhile, a 15-member jirga left Hangu to initiate dialogue with local Taliban for the restoration of peace. Similarly, MNA Pir Haider Ali Shah and District Nazim Haji Khan Afzal met area elders at the district co-ordination officer's office and initiated contact with the provincial government.
According to a Dawn News report, army troops have already occupied strategic positions in Hangu.
Tribal lashkar: Geo News, meanwhile, reported that hundreds of armed men of the Shinwari and Naryab tribes have announced the formation of a tribal laskhar to fight the Taliban in Hangu. It quoted tribal leaders as saying that the laskhar of 200 armed men was formed after the Taliban killed 17 paramilitary soldiers. According to Geo, the Taliban presence in the area has visibly reduced following the formation of the lashkar.