CHARSADDA, Nov 20: Law-enforcement agencies on Thursday claimed to have recovered suicide vests and explosives during a search operation and arrested four alleged militants in the troubled villages of Shabqadar.

Police said the arrested persons had been shifted to an unknown location for interrogation. Their names were not disclosed.

In a related development, Taliban commander Abid Khairkhwahi told local journalists by phone that they had vacated the Michni area, considered a hub of militants. He said the decision had been taken in the interest of local people and the Taliban had moved to some other areas.

An official said police and security forces conducted a joint search operation in villages adjacent to the Mohmand Agency and recovered suicide vests and explosive material from the militants’ hideout.

Security forces had bombed the Taliban hideout housing a detention centre and courts in Shabqadar during the operation launched early this week.

The forces cleared several villages of militants on Thursday. Checkpoints were set up in the troubled area. The situation in the Shabqadar town remained peaceful.