ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: The NWFP police chief has been ordered to carry out a house-to-house search operation in Dera Ismail Khan to curb sectarian violence, the prime minister’s adviser on interior affairs, A. Rehman Malik, said on Monday.

“The provincial government has been asked to divide D.I. Khan into zones and undertake a house-to-house search operation to unarm people,” he told APP after meeting National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Kundi and the provincial police chief.

The adviser said tension prevailed in three areas and the inspector-general of police had been ordered to take action against the ‘so-called leaders’ who were fanning sectarianism.

“We have concluded that there is a need for overhauling the whole administration of D.I. Khan.”

He said the NWFP government had been asked to divide the troubled areas into zones and take measures to maintain law and order.

Rehman Malik said the ‘Shia and Sunni communities’ must realise that foreign elements were carrying out suicide attacks to sabotage the peace process.

Mr Rehman said FC personnel would be deployed to ensure law and order in D.I. Khan and more checkpoints would be set up at all entry and exits points in collaboration with Punjab police.

In reply to a question, the adviser said the government was taking all possible measures for the recovery of the UN refugees agency’s Quetta chief John Solecki. “However, we are concerned about his health because he is suffering from blood pressure and other diseases and needs medical assistance.”

He said Mr Solecki had contributed towards development in Balochistan and it was against the tradition of the Baloch to maltreat their guest.

Mr Rehman expressed the hope that “the Balochi people will safely deliver him back to his family”.—APP