Share this story!            

Military operation launched in Khyber Agency

FC occupies all heights, destroys 3 militant centres

* FC chief says operation meant to establish writ of state, not to target particular group
* Says army not involved, operation launched by FC, police
* Mangal Bagh escapes attack, flees to Tirah Valley
* Local militant groups say they will not attack government forces
* Afrasiab Khattak says govt considering second operation in Swat

By Qazi Rauf

BARA: Paramilitary forces have captured important heights in the Khyber Agency and have taken control of the area, Major General Muhammad Alam Khattak, head of the Frontier Corps, said on Saturday.

“We have launched an operation against terrorists to establish writ of state,” he told reporters in Peshawar a few hours after the launch of the operation. The rising crime rate was responsible for the launch of the operation, he said, adding that it had not been initiated against any particular group. On whether the use of tanks, heavy artillery and helicopters was necessary, NNI quoted Khattak as saying, “We are trying to use maximum force and will avoid collateral damage.”

Not involved: To questioning, the FC chief said the paramilitary force and the police launched the operation and the regular army was not involved. However, he added that the army was on standby and could be called if needed. “I have not seen any resistance. The people welcomed the operation,” he said. The operation could continue for three to four days, he said. Authorities said that around 5,000 security personnel were participating in the operation.

According to AP, likely targets of the offensive were the Ansarul Islam organisation of militant leader Haji Namdar and Mangal Bagh’s Lashkar-e-Islam.

Fleeing leader: In the first hours of the operation, authorities planted explosives around Bagh’s headquarters and blew it up, and the militant leader fled to the remote Tirah Valley along the Afghan border, an intelligence official told AP, on condition of anonymity. A senior security official said the troops fired mortar rounds into militants’ bases and destroyed eight of them, Reuters reported.

No retaliation: Responding to the attack, Namdar’s group said the offensive would only create further problems. “If the government thinks there is any issue to address, that should be resolved through talks, not by the use of force,” said Munsif Khan, spokesman for the group. “We are ready for talks with the government,” he added.

Similarly, Commander Wahid, a spokesman for the LI, told AFP: “The security forces have demolished our commander’s house and our main centre, but we have decided not to fight them. We are not Taliban.”

Second operation: Afrasiab Khattak, chief negotiator for the provincial government, told AP the NWFP government was also considering a second operation in the Swat area.

Meanwhile, locals said that all markets in the region were closed and roads to the area were blocked. “Bara bazaar gives a deserted look as all shops are closed and paramilitary force jawans patrol the area on foot and in armoured personnel carries,” Ibrahim Khan, a resident, told Daily Times by phone.

Home | Main

Share this story!