Army troops were deployed in Swat and Malakand to carry out an operation against the militants in 2009. PHOTO: INP
He said that withdrawal of troops would begin from Buner and Shangla first.
Pakistan army troops had been ordered into the valley in 2009 by the then democratic government after militants had attempted to take over. After the successful completion of their operation and talks with the militants, it was decided that army personnel will be called off from the area.
"The army deployed in Swat and Malakand will start withdrawing next month," reported Ehtisham Khan and added that K-P chief minister had signed the respective documents.
The government has struggled to eliminate militancy from the once peaceful valley. Last year in October, militants managed to shoot teenage peace and education activist Malala Yousufzai, and her two friends in Swat.
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