CHITRAL, Sept 2: Former MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali has expressed deep concern over what he called the failure of security forces to defend the border areas of Chitral district and demanded action against the responsible officers for their negligence.

Speaking at a press conference here the other day, he said that the intrusion of militants into Chitral territory from Nuristan province of Afghanistan had created fear among the local people. He said that Chitral was a peaceful area of the country, but the recent unfortunate happenings in its southern part had sent an ominous message to the residents of Chitral.

Mr Chitrali said that the district border police and Chitral Scouts should be deployed in the border areas instead of confining them to Chitral city and Drosh town.

He said that the basic job of the border police was the close surveillance of boundaries of the district with Afghanistan. However, he said that the police force was now being used for the purpose other than defence of the borders. The former MNA suggested that both the Chitral Scouts and border police should be equipped with sophisticated weapons to counter the activities of militants, who reportedly used heavy weapons in the recent attack.

He said that the headquarters of Chitral Scouts should be relocated to Drosh cantonment to closely monitor the Afghan border. He said that the British government had also chosen this town in early 1890s after raising this force due to its proximity to Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. — Correspondent