SWAT/TIMERGRA, Oct 30: People in large numbers continued to leave their homes as tension persisted in the Matta tehsil and other areas around Mingora on Tuesday despite a ceasefire in effect since Monday after two days of pitched battles between militants and security forces.

Both sides are holding their positions on hills around Manglor, Charbagh, Gulibagh, Khwazakhela and other areas of Matta.

There were conflicting reports about casualties. A spokesman for the militants claimed to have handed over bodies of 20 security personnel on ‘humanitarian grounds’. Official sources said that security forces had suffered eight casualties but according to witnesses, the forces had collected 15 bodies, some of them mutilated beyond recognition.

An eight-member jirga, constituted recently, held a meeting with caretaker provincial minister Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha in the chair to discuss ways of restoring peace. The militants’ side was led by Bakht Nazir and included Maulana Fazlullah’s deputy Muslim Khan, Mahmood Khan, Shah Duran and Fazlur Rehman. Shangla District Nazim Dr Ibad, Syed Ghani and Akhundzada Sikander represented the government.

Mr Sirajuddin, a spokesman for Maulana Fazalullah, told Dawn that they had demanded enforcement of the Sharia Regulation, 1999, and release of some of their arrested associates.

“We allowed the government to pick up the bodies of slain security personnel on humanitarian grounds,” he said, claiming that they only wanted enforcement of Sharia but the situation deteriorated after the government started using force.

Meanwhile, a grand peace jirga was held in Chakdara (Lower Dir) and sought powers to mediate between the militants and the government for peace in the Swat valley.

The jirga discussed the worsening law and order situation in the province, particularly the Swat valley. It urged the provincial and federal governments to immediately call off the operation and initiate talks with the militants.

Briefing journalists, Jamaat-i-Islami’s provincial chief Sirajul Haq said the jirga had appealed to the two sides to cease fire and hold talks.