KOHAT, June 5: Despite the ongoing military operation since March 2010, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) still maintains its hold on their bases in Mamozai area of the upper Orakzai Agency, which has been hampering the repatriation of internally displaced persons.

The extra troops, which were sent into the area to enforce the government's writ by the end of 2010, have now decided to review their strategy to win the war.

Meanwhile, according to reports the TTP had managed to regain 11 per cent area in Orakzai, which was earlier said to have been cleared by the security forces during the operation to flush out militants. The political administration and army officials in the area had told journalists in September 2010 that 94 per cent area had been secured and all the IDPs would return to their homes by mid June 2011.

When contacted for his comments on the current situation, Orakzai Agency Political Agent Riaz Mehsud told this correspondent on phone from Hangu that the last three phases of repatriation were still pending.

Asked about the time period for securing the Mamozai area, he said: “For retrieving the Mamozai, Chappar Mishti, Dabori and Kasha the army is planning to launch simultaneous offensive both from Orakzai and central Kurram Agency.

The decision about the offensive has not been finalised and it is up to the federal government and military to implement this strategy.”

Earlier, the officials had said that the Mamozai pocket would be freed from militants very soon, but after five-month-long operation during which the tribesmen and the security forces had suffered casualties no headway had been made so far.

The interior ministry too issued orders for the deployment of extra troops and launching of operation in the Kurram Agency for making the Hangu-Parachinar highway safe for travel.

Mr Mehsud said that the political administration and army took guidance from each other as far as the Orakzai Agency was concerned and development schemes were continuing in the safe areas.

He said that in the first three of six phases, 2,200 IDP families comprising 140,000 people had been shifted to their homes and given six months food ration and tents by the WFP.

The tribesmen had returned to Kalaya, Karghan, Mishti, Tirah and Skeikhan areas. However, the tribesmen hailing from the troubled areas were staying in IDP camps in Hangu and other parts of the country.

He said that the situation in the lower Orakzai Agency, particularly in the areas of Shia community, was peaceful and female teachers daily came there from Kohat without any fear.

Dawn has learnt that many tribesmen who returned to their homes in Storikhel, Utmankhel, Ferozekhel and Bezote are living in damaged homes and tents.

An official said that these people had been accommodated by their fellow tribesmen for the time being. However, he said that the returning tribesmen were happy that their nightmare of living in camps in Hangu and rented houses in other cities as IDPs was over.