July 22, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 18, 1429

KOHAT, July 21: Normalcy returned to major parts of Hangu district on Monday as security forces flushed out militants from trouble spots after a week of clashes. The militants are reported to have fled towards Kurram Agency.

Officials claimed that the law and order situation in Hangu had improved significantly after the militants withdrew from the region.

However, the military continued sporadic artillery shelling on the Zargari and Doaba hills.

A large number of people came out of their houses and bought food and other essential items after the administration relaxed curfew from 7am to 4pm and extended it till the evening.

A jirga, led by MPA Sayed Janan, Maulana Fazal Wahab and other clerics, met representatives of the Taliban at an unknown place to discuss restoration of peace after a ceasefire agreement on Monday afternoon.

District Nazim Khan Afzal told Dawn that the government had restored its writ after a long and difficult operation, but lasting peace in the region was still a far cry.

Meanwhile, militants in Darra Adamkhel blew up the remaining portion of a Khasadar checkpost in Akhorwal area on Sunday night after a lull of one month.