KHAR: The political administration of Bajaur Agency has ordered people living in border areas of Mamond tehsil to evacuate their homes by Tuesday morning because of the possibility of a military operation in the region.

Local people told Dawn on Monday that the administration had asked residents of five border villages of Mamond to leave the area.

The order was announced through mosque loudspeakers by Levies personnel, a resident Dilwar Khan said.

Confirming the decision, an official told media personnel that people in Nakhatar, Ghakhai, Mula Killi, Gohati and Kitkoot of Mamond had been asked to leave their houses in view of the possibility of a military operation.

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He said the decision was taken at a meeting of senior security officials and local administration. Security forces believed that elements responsible for the recent cross-border attacks were hiding in the area.

Meanwhile, a delegation of an alliance of Bajaur’s political parties held a meeting with the political agent and expressed concern over the decision and urged him to withdraw it.

ABDUCTED VOLUNTEER KILLED: Meanwhile, militants shot dead a kidnapped member of Mamond peace committee in Badan area on Monday.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2014