KHAR, Oct 31: Tehrik-i-Taliban has unilaterally suspended its activities in the Mamond area of Bajaur, according to a spokesman of the militia.

“Yes, Taliban have unilaterally suspended their activities after negotiations with local elders, but it doesn’t mean that we have surrendered our weapons,” Maulvi Omar told Dawn on phone from an unspecified place on Friday.

He said if government forces entered Mamond, Taliban would not resist. However, he warned, the militia would retaliate if they were attacked.

Maulvi Omar said that Taliban did not want to harm the country and local people and it was for this reason that they had suspended activities in Mamond.

Sources said that militants were on retreat in Bajaur after losing control of Lowi Sam and other areas. Armed men who had set up courts and parallel administration in Khar and other parts of Bajaur have vacated their positions and abolished their checkposts.

“Some of their leaders have moved to Upper and Lower Dir districts,” local people said, adding that most of the militants had gone underground.

Maulvi Omar said that despite assurances given by elders, security forces were still attacking Taliban positions in Mamond and Charmang areas.

The authorities had asked a Mamond tribal lashkar to act against militants and warned that otherwise troops would use force.

Air force planes pounded suspected positions in Mamond and Nawagai subdivisions on Friday. Six people were killed and several others, including two women and three children, were injured.

A resident of Sperai area told Dawn on phone that most of the dead were civilians. The Sperai area also came under air attack.

Meanwhile, the tribal lashkar claimed to have evicted militants from a stronghold.

The lashkar also claimed to have arrested four militants after capturing their headquarters in Sewai area.