UPPER DIR: Federal Investigation Agency arrested several persons in Dir Khas and Wari here on Monday for their alleged involvement in illegal business of hundi/hawala. Sources said that FIA launched an operation against illegal disbursement of remittances through hundi/hawala in the district. They said that three persons were arrested in Wari and two in Dir Khas.

Sources said that the arrested persons were identified as Fazl Rabbi, Mohammad Sher, Najeebullah, Murad and Javed. They said that FIA sized record of their illegal business and recovered Pakistani and foreign currency from them. Sources said that many of the hundi dealers managed to escape by closing their shops and business centres. They said that operation against the illegal business would continue.

FUNCTION: Brig Rao Amir Yasin lauded the people of Dir for their cooperation with army in restoration of peace in the region.

He was addressing a function organised by 2-Baloch in Barawal area.

The function was attended by Col Khalid, members of village defence committee, local government representatives and elders of the area.

Brig Amir Yasin said that owing to efforts of local elders, militants could not disturb peace in the area during militancy in Malakand division.

He said that thousands of families were displaced from Dir Lower and Swat districts during war against terrorists in Malakand division. Brig Amir Yasin asked the members of village dfence committee, elected representatives and elders to keep vigil on activities of suspected persons. He said that terrorists had no religion as they were targeting innocent people in mosques, markets and other public places.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2017