Forces take control of several places at Hangu

HANGU - The security forces have taken control of a number of places in continuing operation against militants in Zargari, surrounding areas of Hangu and other places adjacent to Aurakzai Agency, reports said Monday.  
According to details, the security forces used gunship helicopters and took control of Shnawaray, Shamsuddin, Ghlucheena, Soorchapar and Chapree Naryab areas of District Hangu. The security forces also blew up a number of suspected hideouts of the militants in Tora Warai area. Moreover, all markets, government offices, banks and hospitals remained closed for the last thirteen days and caused immense problems for the local people. Around thirty thousands of people are reportedly said to have fled the area for other safer places.
Meanwhuile, at least three persons, including two pro-government tribal elders, were killed and five others were others injured on Monday by some unknown militants at two different places of FATA area.
Sardar Malik Anwar and his son Gul Nadar were shot dead by some unknown militants in Lawara Mandi of North Waziristan Agency. The militants escaped after killing the tribal elder and his son.
Meanwhile, in another incident Malik Shah Jahan and Sardar Malik Ayaz, also influential government loyal tribal elders were killed and injured respectively near Khar headquarters of Bajaur Agency. Apart from Sardar Malik Ayaz, four others were also among the injured.
Mullah Abdul Rahim, a Taliban leader arrested from Quetta, has been shifted to Islamabad for investigations, TheNation learnt reliably.
Rahim, along with three persons, was arrested on Friday by the law enforcing agencies while going from Quetta to Helmand.
Earlier Maulvi Obaid Ullah, former Taliban Defence Minister and Hafiz Abdul Ahad Jehangirwal, spokesman of Mullah Omar, were also arrested from Quetta. The Bomb Disposal Squad defused three bombs planted on a roadside in tehsil Matta of Swat area. Upon receiving the information, the Bomb Disposal Squad rushed to the site and defused the bombs. The incident, however, panicked the residents of the area. The bombs apparently were planted for subversive activities in the town, an official of the Bomb Disposal Squad said.