In early August 2008, a post was established by the Frontier Corps to take control of the border crossing near the town of Loyesam, 12 km from Khaar, the Bajaur Agency administration headquarters.[4] Previously, militants loyal to the Tehrik-e-Taliban, the so-called Pakistani Taliban[5] held control of the area. Loyesam (or Loisam) is a strategic position that controls passage into Afghanistan's Kunar province. The 150-strong force drawn from the paramilitary Frontier Corps were surrounded by several hundred Taliban fighters, and heavy fighting erupted as they tried to break out.[3] After a three-day battle the Pakistani troops retreated from Loyesam back to Khaar, and the Taliban seemed victorious.[6][7]