UPPER DIR: Security forces are likely to launch action in Surbat and other areas against suspected militants as the district administration vacated a couple of high school buildings for accommodating displaced people.

Sources in the administration said that a meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office the other day had approved measures for a possible military action against militants. They said the building of the Government Boys High School and Government Girls High School at Brawal had been vacated for accommodating displaced people.

Residents of Surbat, a village where a military vehicle was attacked on Monday, might be asked to vacate the area. Though no casualty occurred in the IED blast, it has alerted the security forces about the possible presence of militants.

The health department officials have been asked to remain on duty and send ambulances to the area. Assistant commissioner, Dir, Khwaja Faheem confirmed the contingency plan to cope up with any emergency. The Monday’s blast and ensuing measures, possibly a military action, have worried the people of Upper Dir, the district where the people not only fought militants, but also defeated them.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2014