At least three troops were killed when a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden vehicle into a security checkpost in Swat's Khawazakhela area on Monday, the military said. Swat Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan claimed responsibility for the attack, adding attacks against security forces would continue if the military operation in Swat continued.Also on Monday, a Taliban commander was reported dead after security forces pounded hideouts in Kabal tehsil. But negotiations between a local peace jirga and rebel cleric Fazlullah ended on a positive note, sources privy to the talks said. He told the jirga that he would stop armed activities if the government was serious in a ceasefire. The jirga will now talk to the NWFP government in Peshawar.
In Bajaur, the Barmang, Utmankhel and Arang tribes handed over 38 men suspected of links with Taliban to the political administration. Tribal elder Malik Jumadar Khan, who was kidnapped on Sunday, was found dead in Mamoond. A tribal elder was injured in a gunfight between Taliban and a tribal lashkar in the Inayat village in Khar tehsil. Several houses were destroyed in the clash. The Salarzai and Mamoond tribes asked the government to continue the ongoing military operation until Taliban were eliminated.
In the Shabqadar rural area of Charsadda, 12 Taliban were killed and eight arrested in an overnight operation. Helicopter gunships also pounded suspected Taliban hideouts in the area.
In Peshawar, two suspected Taliban from Adezai area of the city surrendered to the police and swore not to pick up arms again, but later denied in a press conference they were Taliban.