10 soldiers, 25 militants dead in Bajaur clashes

The civil administration officials at Khar while confirming the ceasefire avoided to comment on the besieged personnel of the security forces.

Soon after the eruption of the clashes between the security forces and the militants, reports were received suggesting violent clashes in other regions too. Wali-Ur-Rehman, a leader of Jesh-i-Islami, an affiliated militant wing of the banned Jesh-i-Mohammad headed by Maulana Masud Azhar, also claimed that they attacked the security forces in solidarity with TTP in Qamar Sar area of Bajaur Agency, killing three personnel of the security forces and injuring over 20 of them.

Essa Khankhel adds from Mingora: The security forces Thursday apprehended around 15 militants during door-to-door search operation amidst continuing clashes at different places of Matta Sub-Division in Swat District.

Meanwhile, Maulana Soofi Mohammad, chief of banned Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariah-i-Mohammadi (TNSM), also announced to initiate mediation between Taliban militants and NWFP government.