ISLAMABAD, June 16: The government has decided to keep army in Wana even after the completion of the ongoing operation against foreign militants and suspected terrorists hiding there, a source told Dawn on Wednesday.

The source said the army had decided to spend billions of rupees for logistics, arms and other equipment to be used in Wana for conducting non-stop operation against foreign militants and terrorists.

In this connection the army authorities had invited bids for purchase of 100 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), about 130 trucks and 90 soft-top jeeps, the source said. The source said the cost of one APC was stated to be UK pound 450,000 and thus the cost of 100 APCs is equal to Rs4.5 billion.

The army authorities are considering purchasing second-hand APCs from international market to cut down expenditure on the purchase of equipment and logistics for permanent stay in Wana, the source said.

Besides, APCs, the cost of 130 trucks and 90 soft-top jeeps to be purchased by the army was stated to be Rs1.2 billion, the source said. The source said the military authorities were likely to get fresh aid from the US to purchase the required equipment and vehicles.