Pakistani Taliban forces in northwestern Pakistan have consolidated their hold on the Buner Valley, taking control of new areas there, witnesses said.

Government security forces offered no resistance as fighters holded the houses of community leaders who were organizing an anti-Taliban group, Pakistan's English-language newspaper Dawn reported Saturday.

Buner residents formed a militia, or "lashkar", to resist the militants and 13 people, including eight Taliban, three policemen and two villagers, were killed in clashes.

Perturbed by the sudden invasion of the Taliban in the region, the local jirga elders and the district administration officials including leaders of Tehrik Nefaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) have tried to convince the Talibani commanders to leave the area as they would be provided a safe passage.

Authorities say they are negotiating with the fighters to persuade them to withdraw but the Taliban have stayed put and appeared determined to take over the valley, police said.

Witnesses said the Taliban fighters set fire to television sets, pictures, paintings, and audio and video cassettes before holding Friday prayers, also locking Pir Baba shrine, stopping its followers from visiting the place, the newspaper reported.

Agencies