MINGORA, Oct 31: Security forces are poised to take control of Sarsenai vacated by Taliban militants after talks with a jirga of elders from Kanju.

“The Taliban have unconditionally vacated the area,” jirga chief Inamur Rehman told newsmen on Friday.

He said that forces would clear the area of landmines and hand over detained suspects to the local administration for identification and interrogation.

A spokesman for the local Taliban termed the jirga decision “a welcome step taken on the basis of an understanding between local people and the Taliban”.

A military spokesman said they had no role in the talks between the peace jirga and Taliban.

According to the Swat media centre, four militants were killed and nine others injured during operation in different parts of the valley.

The centre said that the operation to clear Sarsenai would continue till the surrender of all militants.

It said that two militants were killed and five others injured during an exchange of fire in Charbagh on Thursday night.

Two more militants were killed and four others were injured in Sar Bandai area of Matta tehsil.

A Hujra of Taliban commander was destroyed and heavy weapons were seized in Sheikho Sar.— Correspondent