12 June 2004	Saturday	23 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

TIMERGARAH, June 11: A complete strike was observed and demonstrations were organized at various places in lower Dir district against the army operation going on in Wana on Friday.

The strike call was issued by the Jamaat-i-Islami on Thursday to protest the killings of Dir scouts personnel, who died in an attack on their camp in the Shkai area on Wednesday night.

Traffic remained off the roads and traders kept their businesses closed in protest against the killings of Dir Scouts. In Balambat, Talash, Chakdara, Munda, Samar Bagh, Maidan and other localities the markets were deserted.

A big demonstration was held at the Timergarah town where the protesters raised slogans against the government and the military operation in South Waziristan Agency.

The protesters were addressed by JI district leaders Izazul Mulk, Haji Fazal Wahab and others. They criticized the government for its policies and demanded that the Wana operation be stopped forthwith and the army be withdrawn from the area.

The military operation in the South Waziristan Agency would prove detrimental to the integrity of the country, they said, and added that the government should immediately return the army back to barracks.