BATKHELA, Sept 28 Security forces cleared Palai area of Malakand Agency of militants and handed over its control to civil administration on Monday.

All the public and private educational institutions would be reopened in the area, said District Coordination Officer Siraj Ahmad Khan. The Palai Levies post, which was vacant for the last three months, was also reopened.

Sources said that security forces arrested 13 militants and 12 suspects during the search operation.

Talking to journalists, the DCO announced appointing Fazal Subhan as commander of Palai Levies post.

Meanwhile, Levies personnel rounded up 12 narcotics dealers and two proclaimed offenders during an action launched on the directives of DCO. The Levies personnel also recovered huge quantity of charas and heroin during raids at narcotics dens.

Our Correspondent from Buner adds Security forces and volunteers of Sultanwas Qaumi Lashkar completed search operation in Elum Ghar area of Buner district and arrested 14 suspects.

Security forces also conducted search operations in nearby villages Dokada, Poland and Mullah Banda, sources said.

Contrary to the previous operation, launched in the area few months ago, militants did not resist security forces anywhere. Militants had given tough time to forces during the previous operation right from Ambela to Dokada, Kalpani to Chaghorzai and Daggar to Kingargali.

Analysts believe that militants might have shifted from Elum Ghar to Swat and Kala Dhaka.

Our Mingora correspondent adds Security forces arrested seven Taliban, including an Afghan militant, while 18 others laid down their arms in different areas of Swat o Monday.

Sources said that security forces also blew up houses of two militants in Matta tehsil of the district during the ongoing Operation Rah-i-Rast.

According to ISPR, security forces held five militants in Sair Tilligram area of Manglor, while an Afghan militant was arrested in Darai area. Another militant was arrested in Bazkhela area of Matta tehsil.

Official sources said that two militants surrendered in Bar Shor, five in Dewlai area of Kabal tehsil, two in Shahdhand Banda area, four in Galoch area and five laid down arms in Charbagh.

Meanwhile, security forces increased the duration of relaxation in curfew in Mingora city. Sources said that curfew would be relaxed for 19 hours in Mingora, Saidu Sharif and adjacent areas, while relaxation in curfew would be increased to 20 hours in Kabal, Kanju and other adjacent areas.