PESHAWAR, July 15: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has opposed the deployment of troops in Swat and Lower Dir district and urged the government to refrain from launching a military operation in the province.

Speaking at a press conference here on late Saturday evening, JI provincial chief Sirajul Haq said Swat was one of the most peaceful districts in the province, but the federal government had suddenly dispatched thousands of troops to the area after the Lal Masjid military operation.

He said the party would seek an explanation from the ruling coalition if it learnt that the federal government had deployed troops only after consulting the NWFP government.

Mr Siraj said if the government had any information regarding militancy in the area, then it should have consulted the tribal elders, politicians and ulema to resolve the issue through negotiations.

He warned against conducting a military operation and said the government would be responsible for any backlash. He claimed that political parties and ulema could use their influence to resolve all issues through negotiations.