LOWER DIR: Two jirgas have extended support to the security forces’ targeted operations against terrorists in the Lower Dir district.

Members of Qaumi Islahi Jirga Talash Dushkhel and Talash Youth Jirga expressed these views while speaking at a joint meeting held in Kalpani here on Sunday. President of Qaumi Islahi Jirga Malik Ibrahim Khan chaired the meeting.

The participants, who also included social and political activists, announced that they fully supported the intelligence-based operation launched by the security forces against militants in the Shin Kamar Barcharai forest the other day.

Islahi Jirga chief Ibrahim Khan, general secretary Dr Noor Mohammad, Timergara tehsil chairman Mufti Irfanuddin, Youth Jirga president Mohammad Raziq, dispute resolution council district chairman Syed Hassan Advocate, Malik Nadar Khan, Malik Mohammad Irshad, and others spoke on the occasion.

Sources said militants from different areas were regrouping in the forest, whose number increased during the last one month.

The ground forces backed by two helicopters destroyed the hideouts and cleared the area of militants after six hours of action.

The sources said the security forces had information about the presence of militants in the forest. They said commandos of Special Services Group also took part in the action.

According to unconfirmed reports, three or four militants were killed during the operation, while rest of them fled from the area.

The sources said a suicide jacket, an RPG-7, its shells, an IED, four bags containing clothes, 115 cartridges, four empty chargers and food items were recovered from the hideouts.

The participants of the meeting said that Talash was a peaceful area and its residents would never compromise on peace. They vowed to extend help to law enforcement agencies in flushing militants from the area.

The meeting also announced to form a joint action committee to hold meetings with the district administration and military officials for building mutual coordination and understanding for making the anti-terror drive a success.

The participants demanded of the local administration to share data of people having migrated to Talash from other areas.

They also urged social media activists not to post any controversial content on social media.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2025