DERA GHAZI KHAN: With an operation in South Waziristan expected any time, there is a growing concern here that it may leave adverse effects on the law and order situation in the district, specially the area along the NWFP border.

The concern is not unfounded considering the situation in the neighbouring district of Dera Ismail Khan which has a long border with the restive agency.

Dera Ghazi Khan’s location is very sensitive as it shares boundary with the NWFP in the north and Balochistan in the west.

It has already seen the effects of Balochistan unrest. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), it is believed, has so far carried out at least 26 sabotage activities in the district since 2005.

Some part of South Waziristan also touches Dera Ghazi Khan boundary. This area (in DG Khan) houses Baloch Kaisrani tribe.

Tribal chief MNA Mir Badshah Kaisrani vowed that the Kaisranis would not let Dera Ghazi Khan become Dera Ismail Khan.

He said tribal elders of the area should meet to find out ways to protect the district from fleeing terrorists and outlaws in wake of Southern Waziristan operation.

Talking to Dawn, Kaisrani said he wanted to form a tribal Lashkar to block the way of fleeing terrorists. He also urged the government to take steps to protect the district.

A senior police official, on the condition of anonymity, apprehended exodus of 50,000 people from the war zone but believed they would prefer to encamp in the nearby areas in the NWFP.

However, he did not rule the possible intrusion of miscreants in the district.

District police officer Dr Rizwan said that police had plugged all routes linking DG Khan with the NWFP and South Waziristan to check the intrusion of miscreants.

He said young policemen would get military training to enhance their ability to fight militants.

Besides, he said, well-trained policemen would be deployed at the inter-provincial checkpost of Triman.

The DPO said newly-recruited former navy and army personnel by the Interior Ministry would also be deployed at western provincial boundary and along the river Indus to maintain the writ of the government.

Rest of the western boundary was being look after by the border military police, Baloch levy and tribal volunteers of the Kaisrani tribe.