KOHAT, Nov 11: Ghulam Mohammad, deputy inspector general of police, Kohat region has said that the proximity of the southern settled districts with the four tribal agencies and as many frontier regions still remains the biggest hurdle in the way of peace in the area.

He said the police in the southern districts was making every effort, despite the manpower and technical shortcomings to wipe out crimes. These factors, he added, had prevented police from wiping out criminals who committed crimes in the settled areas.

Briefing local newsmen about the performance of the police of the region here on Monday, the DIG said that they had arrested 231 fugitives wanted in heinous crimes and recovered huge quantity of arms, ammunition and drugs from other criminals. He claimed that with the cooperation of the tribal authorities the police would break the network of kidnappers and award them  exemplary punishment.

The police chiefs of all the five  districts, Hangu, Kohat, Karak, Bannu and Lakki Marwat presented progress reports of the month-long drive  against criminals.

The DIG said during the month of October, the regional police recovered 44 Kalashnikovs, six Kalakovs, one sten-gun, eleven hand-grenades, 34 rifles, 49 shot guns, 130 pistols, four daggers, 35 chargers of various bores, 7,753 cartridges, fake currency worth Rs 35,000, 78kg of fine quality charas, two kilograms of heroin and same quantity of opium.

The Bannu police also seized eight stolen and non-custom paid vehicles during the same month and arrested the smugglers.