KHAR: The security forces launched a search operation in Bajaur Agency on Saturday and arrested 14 suspected militants, official sources said.

They said that the suspected militants were arrested in different areas during the operation.

They said that the operation was launched by personnel of Bajaur Scouts to hunt militants and their facilitators.

Sources said that the action was taken after resurfacing of militants in the tribal region. At least 14 suspects were arrested during the search operation, they added.

They said that the forces had stepped up efforts to hunt down militants, their facilitators and their hideouts across the agency. They said that local people were supporting security forces.

ZAKAT COMMITTEE: The authorities in Bajaur Agency sacked the chairman of Agency Zakat Committee on public complaints, sources said.

They said that Mustafa Kamal, working as chairmen of Agency Zakat Committee for the last nine years, was terminated after people lodged complaints against him.

“We don’t know about the main reasons of the removal of Mr Kamal but the decision has been made in line with the directives of senior officials,” sources said.

“They said that Mr Kamal was also holding the post of agency coordinator planning and development simultaneously owing to his links with the high-ups of Fata Secretariat.

Additional Political Agent Mohammad Irfanuddin Khan, when contacted, confirmed removal of Mr Kamal from both the posts.

He said that the step was taken on the directives of senior officials. He said that Mr Kamal was sacked several days ago and new chairman of Zakat committee was also appointed.

“I have no additional knowledge about the dismissal of former chairman of Agency Zakat Committee but as per my information the main cause of his dismissal was rejection of request for extending his tenure,” the official said.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2015

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