PESHAWAR/BANNU: After a day’s break, security forces resumed action in North Waziristan on Monday and killed 25 suspected militants in air strikes and clashes. Officials, meanwhile, said that the area would continue to be under curfew on Tuesday.
According to a press release issued by ISPR, two soldiers were also killed in clashes with militants in Spinwam and Mirali.
Air force planes bombed hideouts in Mirali and 15 terrorists were killed and eight hideouts were destroyed. Troops, the press release said, also spotted tunnels in the targeted areas.
Security personnel thwarted an attempt by militants to break cordon in Spinwam and Mirali. An exchange of fire left 10 militants and two soldiers dead.
Aerial surveillance, vigorous patrolling and siege laid to the area housing terrorist hideouts continued.
Claims relating to casualties could not be verified from independent sources because journalists have no access to the area.
After six days of relaxation, curfew was re-imposed in the area for an indefinite period, apparently because the military is planning to launch a ground operation.
“This is enough and there will be no relaxation in curfew from Tuesday,” a security official said. However, evacuation of people from the areas and their registration at Sadgai checkpoint continued throughout the day.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, the number of registered displaced people crossed the 450,000 mark on Monday.
Hundreds of women, children and men had to walk several kilometres to reach the registration point.
Sakhi Jan said he had reached Bannu in three days after walking all the way.
Local people said that a large number of families were still stranded in Razmak, Shawal, Datakhel, Lwara Mandi and other places.
They said evacuation of civilians from Miramshah, Mirali and adjoining villages had been completed and the displaced people had been registered.
ISPR said the Army Engineers Division would help the administration in managing matters relating to the IDPs in Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan. Troops have reached Bannu for the purpose and points for distribution of relief material, including food and medicine, and cash grants announced by the government would be managed by the civil agency concerned. A field hospital was being set up by the Army Medical Corps in Bannu, the ISPR said.
An unpleasant incident took place at a distribution point at the Bannu Sports Complex when police fired in the air and used batons to disperse a group of IDPs, causing injuries to several people.
Witnesses said the IDPs were complaining that arrangements at the distribution point were not adequate.
A large number of people gathered at the distribution point set up by the World Food Programme (WFP).
The WFP distributed wheat, cooking oil and other food items among 640 families. An official said a plan had been prepared to help 1,500 families a day. The United Nations agency also plans to open humanitarian hubs in Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan where displaced people have taken shelter with host families.
Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2014
Dear visitor, the comments section is undergoing an overhaul and will return soon.