PESHAWAR, July 7 Thieves have stolen antiques and precious items from different historical sites in Malakand division during the past few years, taking advantage of militancy and lawlessness in the region, sources say.

They said that thieves didn't spare sacred places and excavated some old graves and tombs in parts of Dir district. “They have taken away artifacts and antiques illegally as there was no rule of law at that time,” sources added.

A source in the archeology department said that they couldn't protect historical sites properly as they were short of watchmen. “We have no force for the purpose,” he added.

Dost Mohammad Khan, an archaeological expert, told Dawn that Adenzai tehsil was had at least 1,000 historical sites but due to lawlessness people had illegally excavated these and took away the objects of great importance.

He said that some old graves in Badwan area were also excavated in search of antiques. “Other areas where people have illegally excavated historical sites include Chinarona, Ghondo, Tor Gatay, Jabagai, Kamala, Bagat, Sharab Kohi, Kamal Khan Kohay, Qalagai, Amlokdara, Ramyal, Chinar China, Darra, Bukhara and Talash,” he added.

He said that the Churchill Picket, a checkpost established by British government to guard the main road in the area, was about to fall and needed immediate attention. He said that the picket was damaged mainly due to artillery firing during the operation against militants.

Zahid Khan told Dawn at Mingora that he had already briefed the officials of archaeology department about illegal excavations of historical sites in Swat. “I urged them to take appropriate action for preservation of the sites but to no avail,” he added.

The historical sites, he said, were main source of attraction for tourists, but there was no arrangement to protect the same form thieves.

“Historical sites in Odigram, Shamozo, Landaki, Kota, Gogdara, Barikot, Naji Gram, Shingardar, Jahanabd Malam Jabba, and Nemogram of Swat have been badly affected by militancy,” he said.

Mr Khan said all the statues and other objects, shifted from Swat Museum during the era of militancy, should be brought back. The blown up statue of Buddha at Jahandabad should also be repaired, he said.

Provincial Minister for Sports, Culture and Tourism Syed Aqil Shah, when contacted, rejected the reports about stealing of statues. “In my tenure incidents of this kind have not been reported,” he said.

The minister said that law and order had been improved and administration had controlled all the areas and no body could dare to carry out illegal excavations in the province.