MOHMAND AGENCY, Aug 27: Senior government and military officials on Wednesday said the deployment of over 25,000 troops in the tribal area along the country’s western border with Afghanistan was preventing any illegal movement on the border.

The officials at various briefings during a day-long maiden foreign media trip to Mohmand Agency also categorically stated that Pakistani troops never violated the border with Afghanistan.

The officials hoped the allegation of Pakistani troops intruding into Afghan territory, being looked into by a Tri-Partite Commission, would be cleared soon.

NWFP Governor Iftikhar Shah said there were no more “no-go areas” and all areas were now accessible and under the control of Pakistani military and para-military troops.

“The people of Mohmand Agency whole-heartedly welcomed the troops who went in there with a development package for the area,” he added.

He explained that it was only the small stretch in the upper Mohmand Agency which remained inaccessible until the troops moved in with the consent of the local tribesmen.

The governor said the process to open up the entire tribal area was started three years ago and with the deployment of troops in Mohmand agency, all areas were now accessible.

Replying to a question, the governor said the Pakistan-Afghan border was internationally recognized and there was no need to raise this issue again.—APP