January 02, 2009	Friday	Muharram 04, 1430

LANDI KOTAL, Jan 1: At least 38 houses and shops of Kukikhel tribesmen were demolished as security personnel pressed ahead with the operation against militants in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency on Thursday.

Officials said the houses and shops in Jamrud Bazaar, Takhta Baig, Ghundai, Shah Kas and Wazirdhand had been destroyed under the collective territorial responsibility clause of the Frontier Crime Regulations.

Political Agent Tariq Hayat Khan told newsmen that about 80 per cent of the objectives had been achieved and the Peshawar-Torkham highway would be opened in a couple of days.

He said a jirga would be convened after the completion of the operation and curfew would be relaxed from 11.30am to 4pm on Friday.

Local people said that the curfew and closure of the road had created a shortage of items of daily use.

AFP adds: “The road will be opened in a day or two for all traffic, including Nato vehicles,” Mr Hayat said.

He said 159 suspects had been arrested or had turned themselves in since Tuesday. There are 116 illegal Afghan immigrants among them who are suspected to be in league with extremists.

More than 30 suspected militant hideouts have been destroyed.

“The detained Afghans will be interrogated and those found innocent will be deported, while others will be prosecuted,” he said.

Among the local people arrested were tribal elders accused of harbouring militants or organising kidnappings for ransom.

Some of the suspects were believed to have carried out attacks on Nato vehicles and fuel tankers, Mr Hayat said.

He said security in Peshawar had improved significantly because of the military operation.

He said carrying weapons would be prohibited during the curfew break.