MINGORA, April 10: Security forces have retaken control of a religious seminary, which served as the headquarters of controversial cleric Maulana Fazlullah, following massive shelling early Thursday morning.

The forces launched the strike following reports about the presence of Fazalullah in the seminary located at Imam Dheri. Following the shelling, ground forces entered the premises of the seminary and took its control.

Barbed wires were laid around the seminary and checkpoints were established at entry and exit points of the area. Following the operation, curfew was clamped on the area, which remained in effect till the afternoon.

The seminary’s control had first been taken by security forces when it had launched the operation against militants last year.

During the operation on Thursday, the forces also arrested an Afghan national, Maulvi Abdul Mateen, and shifted him to an unknown location for further interrogation. It may be mentioned here that militants loyal to Fazalullah have resurfaced in the area for the last couple of days, creating harassment among local people.

Over a dozen suspected militants, arrested during different operations, were shifted to the Timergrah District Jail after they were produced in a court.

INJURED: Three people were injured in firing by a man in a busy bazaar here on Thursday.