LANDI KOTAL: Scores of Kukikhel families have fled homes in Jamrud fearing militant attacks and the subsequent military offensive.

Though there is no official word, sources in the administration said around 300 families had so far abandoned homes in Bakarabad, Malak Shaga, Pump House, Husai Khula, Maki Khel, Mandokhel, Gudar, Lashorra, Sangerh and Sapari areas.

They said the fleeing families had moved to safer places, including Taru Jabba, Tarnab Farm, Swato Patak, Badhaber, Ring Road, Arbab Road, Board Bazaar and Hayatabad localities of Peshawar.

The sources said among such families were those, who had fled Tirah in 2011 and settled in Jamrud after the Taliban seized control of their areas in the valley.

They said families of almost all khasadar and levies personnel, too, had fled homes in Jamrud over threats of a little known militant group, Jaish-i-Khurasan.

By distributing pamphlets in Jamrud Bazaar and adjoining areas on July 12, the outfit had warned if the army, Frontier Corps, khasadar, levies and intelligence personnel operating in the area didn’t abandon job by Eidul Fitr, it would target their families.

Until Friday, at least four security personnel were killed in Jamrud. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the killings.

Local resident Irfan Khan said the fleeing families had left one or two male members to protect empty houses, while many had shifted valuables to warehouses in Peshawar.

“All women, children and elderly members of Kukikhel families have moved to safer places,” he said.

The tribesman said the most local residents arrested during search operations complained about maltreatment by law-enforcement agencies and therefore, the people preferred leaving Jamrud.

In a bid to prevent migration of tribesmen, a jirga of Kukikhel elders had earlier warned the fleeing families would be fined Rs1 million and that their houses would be torched.

Around 20 families had fled homes in Ghundi on July 22 when security forces conducted a search operation and arrested dozens over links with militants.

The administration said though curfew and search operations inconvenienced people, the measures were taken for the protection of public life and property.

It, however, claimed the situation was under control and the migration of families was unwarranted.

“We have established security checkpoints and impose curfew in order the check the movements of militants and not to intimidate common man,” an official said.

On Friday, a jirga of local elders reiterated Kukikhel families should return as the situation was under control and that people won’t be intimidated.

Published in Dawn, Aug 2nd , 2014