February 02, 2008	Saturday	Muharram 23, 1429

PESHAWAR, Feb 1: The Kohat tunnel, which was extensively damaged during clashes between militants and security forces in Darra Adamkhel, will become fully operational in about a month.

Nayyar Qayum Khwaja, operations manager of the Pak-Japan Friendship Tunnel, told a group of journalists that it was being reopened for light vehicles, but would take at least a month to be made fully operational.

He said that experts were assessing the extent of damage, adding that some sensitive equipment and 1,000 metres of cable had been destroyed.

Explosives set off by militants partially damaged the tunnel’s fire extinguishing system, some sophisticated equipments, cables and lights. A compound housing emergency system and a portion of the bridge was also destroyed.

“The structure of the tunnel is safe but still needs some repair work, including lighting,” he said, adding that Japanese engineers who had designed the tunnel would also examine the structure. He said that some equipment, including lighting system, would be imported from Japan.

Security officials showed to journalists some heavy weapons and ammunition found in militants’ hideouts during the week-long operation in Darra Adamkhel.

A number of suicide jackets, chemicals, literature and heavy ammunition were also seized. Three of the suicide jackets were fully loaded.

Weapons displayed at a place near the tunnel included mortars, light cannons, rockets, solar batteries used for charging explosive devices and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

“Such sophisticated weapons and ammunition are supposed to be with only the military but the militants also possess them,” a security officer said.Some of the rockets and mortar, with Chinese inscriptions, looked brand new. Mortar shells and rockets had labels in Pashto and Arabic. However, he said that it was too early to say where the arsenal had come from.

Tribal elders of Darra Adamkhel praised the military operation, but said that some militants’ hideouts in some areas were still intact. They said that forces should stay to secure the areas.

“The militants were very ruthless. They slaughtered people and hung their corpses on electric poles,” said Malik Alam Gul Bazeedkhel.

“We have lost our honour, respect and business because of their inhuman activities. Our women and children suffered hardships because we were forced to flee our homes,” the elder said. He also held the local administration responsible for the mess. The area is calm but tense with forces seen patrolling the main highway.

“The political administration knew everything but they ignored the militants’ activities,” he said.

Many people in Darra town said that the militants had not yet left the area and their main stronghold was in the Shirako area, south of Darra bazaar.