MINGORA, Dec 13: Security forces took control of a police station and other government buildings in the Charbagh area on Thursday. Officials said houses of two militants and an explosive-laden vehicle were destroyed in the operation.

The situation in Mingora town and other parts of the troubled Swat district remained peaceful.

According to local people, Maulana Fazlullah’s supporters retreated from the Charbagh area and troops faced no resistance when they entered the district.

Security personnel arrested two suspects at the Ayub bridge and another at the Bariam bridge.

Security forces took control of the Charbagh Police Station after destroying fortified positions of the militants.

An official statement said that security forces had arrested 255 Taliban suspects, including some prominent leaders, from various areas and 30 of them were later released after they were found innocent.

Troops also cleared a seminary being used as a headquarters by the militants loyal to Maulana Fazlullah. Two barrels of liquor were also found in the Charbagh Police Station. Meanwhile, members of a jirga of the Shahpur village have declared their complete support for troops in their operation to evict militants from the area.