PESHAWAR: Authorities on Saturday lifted curfew from Dattakhel town in the troubled North Waziristan Agency 20 days after its imposition, local people said.

Gul Janan, a resident of Dattakhel, told Dawn by phone that the curfew restrictions had been withdrawn and shopkeepers in town had been allowed to resume their businesses. He said people had been facing a shortage of food items and drinking water because of the curfew.

He said the road used for bringing commodities to Dattakhel from border towns of Afghanistan had also remained closed during the curfew, contributing to shortage of essential commodities in town.

The curfew was enforced after militants fired more than 15 mortar shells, aimed at a base of security forces in the area. Security officials lifted the curfew after getting assurances from local elders.

Another resident said life had become tough in Dattakhel since security forces launched an offensive against militants. He complained that during the restrictions even parents were not allowed to take their sick children to the hospital.

Published in Dawn, January 25th, 2015

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