The Pakistan Army on Monday handed over the administrative control of the restive Swat district to the civilian authorities, ending its decade-long military operation to flush out the Pakistan Taliban militants.

The Army was first sent to the Swat district of the Khyber-Pakthunkhwa province in 2007 when Pakistan Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah challenged the writ of the state and set up his Sharia courts.

The Army on Tuesday handed over the symbol of authority to the Commissioner, Malakand Division and Regional Police Officer (RPO) at a ceremony, which was attended by Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan.

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