SWAT, Nov 3: Security forces bombed suspected locations of militants in the Banda area here on Saturday evening after a rocket attack on the non-operational Saidu Sharif airport.
Sources said militants positioned near the airport had fired rockets on a paramilitary base camp, killing a Frontier Corps man. Another soldier injured in the attack died in hospital.
Meanwhile, efforts continued for a ceasefire in the area.
A jirga was held at the Swat Press Club to work out a temporary truce.
Senator Rahat Hussain told journalists that members of the jirga had held talks with Maulana Fazlullah and his Shoora.
He said Fazlullah reiterated his demands for enforcement of Sharia, withdrawal of security forces and of cases against him and his supporters. He said Fazlullah had authorised the jirga to hold talks with the government on his behalf.
The jirga would meet the NWFP governor and the chief minister, he added.
AP adds: Militants said on Saturday they had captured two police stations and 120 security personnel.
A flag was hoisted over one building after it was abandoned by officers in the scenic Swat valley, said Sirajuddin, speaking on behalf of the militants.
Hours later, militants took control of another police post 10 kilometers to the north, said Mian Rasool Shah, a Taliban commander, adding that they locked the doors to prevent the looting of weapons after persuading 60 officers to leave.
No government official was immediately available to comment on the claims, which came a day after extremists paraded dozens of men described as surrendered troops before journalists. They – like the 120 security forces who allegedly defected after being surrounded by militants overnight – were later released, Sirajuddin said.
