September 18, 2008	Thursday	Ramazan 17, 1429

MINGORA, Sept 17: Security forces took control of Swat’s Kozabandai on Wednesday after the Taliban pulled out of the strategic area in accordance with a promise made to a peace jirga on Tuesday night.

ISPR spokesman in Swat Colonel Nadeem said the troops which took control of the area at 10am were engaged in de-mining tunnels, defusing explosive devices and repairing electricity and telephone lines.

Sayed Inamur Rehman, chief of the Kanju peace jirga, said that because of sincere efforts of the jirga and cooperation of military officers and Taliban leaders “the impossible task has been made possible”.

He said the Taliban had left Kozabandai, a stronghold of militants loyal to Maulana Fazlullah, on Tuesday night and security forces entered the area with the support of jirga members.

He termed it a positive development and expressed the hope that thousands of displaced people would return to their homes without any fear.

But Mr Rehman said that the agreement applied only to Kozabandai, and not to the rest of Swat.

He said the troops would also assess damage to property caused by the fighting.

Tehrik-i-Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan confirmed that the Taliban had vacated the area and expressed the hope that troops would also pull out soon after completing the assessment work.

The 40-member jirga included Prof Mian Noor Nawab, UC Nazim Karimul Hadi, Master Mohammad Amin and Advocate Peroz Shah.

The jirga earlier held several rounds of talks with the Taliban and military officers.

It had also called Maulana Fazlullah who assured the jirga of his full support for peace in the region.