163 terrorists held in Waziristan Agency: Hayat

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat said on Thursday that 163 terrorists had been arrested during the military operation in South Waziristan Agency so far.

Mr Hayat told reporters that the terrorists arrested and those still hiding in the area were involved in the sectarian attacks on Shias in Quetta, and the ambush on the Frontier Constabulary personnel in Wana.

He said that Arabs, Uzbeks and Chechens were among the foreign terrorists. He added that so far 30 terrorists had been killed of which 19 had been identified while 33 security officials also died during the operation.

The interior minister said that no foreigner would be handed over to any other country even if they are wanted by that country. All terrorists would be tried in Pakistan, he added. Mr Hayat stated that 500 to 600 terrorists were still hiding in the area being abetted by the Zaikhel Tribe. He said the Mehsud Tribe was cooperating with the government and had formed a force of 4,000 men to assist the army. He added that three abettors of the terrorists, namely, Naek Muhammad, Muhammad Sharif and Noorul Islam were handed over to the army by the same tribe. —Staff Report

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