LANDI KOTAL: The main objective of the ongoing military operation was to eliminate all militants groups in Khyber Agency, said Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah.

Addressing a press conference at Khyber House on Monday, he said that military operation in Bara was going on successfully. No unlawful militant organisation and armed militia would be tolerated in any part of Khyber Agency, especially in Bara sub-division, he added.

Mr Shah said that the main objective of the ongoing operation was to reach a situation wherein no unlawful militant group existed in Khyber Agency, especially in Bara sub-division. “We will work in close coordination with local tribes and tribal elders to establish writ of government and run the affairs of the administration after achieving our objectives through the ongoing military operation,” he said.

Mr Shah, however, declined to gave a timeframe for the completion of military operation in Bara and possible return of over 38,000 displaced families, comprising 269,400 individuals. 

The political agent said that protection would be provided to all those militants, who laid down arms and accepted the writ of the government. He said that administration had full backing and support of all Bara tribes and their elders. 

About the problems faced by the displaced families from Bara and Tirah, Mr Shah said that the administration with assistance of Fata Disaster Management Authority was doing its level best to provide all possible assistance to the affected families. He said that temporary shelters would be provided to the displaced families in Togh Sarai camp near Hangu and Jalozai camp in Nowshera.

“Land has been acquired at Jalozai with assistance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for a camp for Bara IDPs and the government departments concerned are in contact with the federal government to approve a uniform aid package for Bara IDPs on the pattern of that for North Waziristan IDPs,” he said. 

The official said that political administration was working in close coordination with security forces to chalk out a safe route for fleeing families alongside coordinating with KP and Fata disaster management authorities to provide all basic facilities to the IDPs.

Mr Shah said that the administration was working hard to vaccinate all displaced children under the age of five besides provision of emergency health cover to the needy IDPs and timely compensation to those, who got injuries in the operation.

Published in Dawn, November 11th , 2014