Curfew relaxed in parts of North Waziristan

Published June 18, 2014
People fleeing a military operation in the North Waziristan tribal region arrive in Bannu on June 17, 2014. — Photo by AFP
People fleeing a military operation in the North Waziristan tribal region arrive in Bannu on June 17, 2014. — Photo by AFP

PESHAWAR: Authorities have relaxed the curfew in parts of the North Waziristan tribal region following which stranded tribesmen of various areas have been asked to leave for safer places.

The relaxation comes as tribesmen in North Waziristan are trying to move to safer places after the military launched operation Zarb-i-Azb to purge the region of local and foreign militants.

Sources said three days have been given to the tribesmen of Mir Ali and Razmak to leave for safer areas following which people have started their movement.

Scores of vehicles have been sent towards North Waziristan to evacuate stranded people.


Also read: North Waziristan refugees anxiously await news of family


However, local tribesmen have been complaining that transporters were charging high rates as there was a severe shortage of vehicles in the tribal region due to the curfew.

Moreover, a registration camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) point has been established at Saidge near Bakkakhel and a camp has also been set up at Baran Dam. However, no IDPs have arrived at Baram Dam so far.

Residents of Miramshah and Ghla Khan will be allowed to move out tomorrow as curfew was lifted from the area after five days.

Political authorities said tribesmen have been allowed three days time to leave North Waziristan.

Tribesmen from Boya and Dattakhel regions would be allowed to leave their respective areas on June 21.


More on this: Schools, colleges closed in Fata


The evacuations come in the wake of the launching of military operation Zarb-i-Azb against Taliban militants in the tribal region.

However, earlier on Tuesday, a military spokesman had claimed that the entire civilian population had been safely evacuated from the tribal region after detailed verification.

The spokesman had added that necessary logistical and administrative arrangements had been made for the IDPs who would be provided security by army troops.

A total of at least 187 suspected militants and eight soldiers have been reported killed since Saturday night when the operation was launched.

The operation was announced a week after a brazen insurgent attack on the country's busiest airport in Karachi.

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