Two policemen killed in ambush after troops deployed in Buner

PESHAWAR: Two policemen were killed Thursday when suspected militants fired at their vehicle in Pakistan's Buner district, police said.

Taliban fighters are patrolling streets and markets in the district, 110 kilometres away from Islamabad.

‘Unknown gunmen fired at a police vehicle escorting a convoy of paramilitary forces in Totali area of Buner,’ local police official Syed Azhar told AFP.

Azhar would not say who the attackers were, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Residents said the incident took place just after a meeting of a peace committee comprising Taliban, local people and administration officials in which the militants agreed to remain peaceful.

Earlier, eight platoons of paramilitary troops were sent to the district, sources said on Thursday.

The Frontier Constabulary platoons arrived Wednesday to protect government buildings and bridges in Buner, Syed Mohammed Javed said.

A platoon typically has 30 to 50 troops.

Javed would not confirm Thursday whether the Taliban presence in Buner spurred the deployment.

The militants’ presence is reportedly restricted to Pir Baba, Sultanwas and Zaga bases and there is little movement on the roads, local residents told DawnNews earlier.

Meanwhile, militant concentration increased toward Totali village, near Swabi.

Militants from the Swat Valley entered Buner in large numbers in recent days after a government-backed peace deal imposed Islamic law in Swat and surrounding areas.

The militants' movement has sparked concerns the deal merely emboldened insurgents to expand their reign.