PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Army has established checkposts along Pak-Afghan border in Dir to prevent intrusion by the militants into the country and it has completed the search operation in Barawal tehsil and adjacent areas, Operation Commander Dir Brigadier Saqib Rashid said on Friday.

Talking to APP, Brig Saqib Rashid said 172 people, including security personnel, had died and 478 wounded during incidents of insurgency while 70 terrorists were killed and hundreds of suspected persons were arrested during the operation. Heavy weapons were also seized by the forces he said and added that Barawal Tehsil had been cleared of insurgents.

Terrorists, he said, had damaged about 200 schools and set many mosques ablaze in the area.

He regretted that the terrorists had even burnt 840 copies of the Holy Quran.

Brig Saqib highly commended the role of local people and peace committees (Lashkars) for extending complete support to the forces during their operations. Peace committees had been formed in all areas of Barawal that will keep vigil eye on any suspicious activity, he added.

He said that 10 units of Pakistan Army were deployed in Barawal Tehsil while security arrangements along the border with Afghanistan had been further strengthened.

He said that the army had started rehabilitation activities in the area. Work on seven schools and many mosques was near completion. Likewise,   Pakistan Army was also busy in rehabilitation of roads, infrastructure and other recreational places.

Brig Saqib further said the provincial government had been consulted on the rehabilitation and development work, which would soon start its part of development work.

He said the elders of local Lashkars had pledged to purge the anti-state elements out of their areas and were standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Pakistan Army.