PARACHINAR, May 5: Ten ex-Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, who surrendered to the political administration in Kurram Agency, have disclosed that foreign militants, including Chechens and Uzbeks, had presence in the central parts of the troubled area.

During a news briefing in Parachinar on Saturday, Kurram Agency political agent Shahab Ali Shah said TTP militants surrendered to security forces in central Kurram Agency, where operation against militants was underway.

He said these militants, who belonged to Mosazai, Ali Sherzai, Manato and Mir Bagh areas and had confirmed their affiliation with TTP, would be tried under the anti-terrorist law.

The political agent said two operations were conducted in Kurram, ‘Operation Kohi Sufaid’ began in July-August 2011, while ‘Operation Mehmoodzai’ was launched in November 2011. He said the second operation was in the last phase.

He said 95 per cent of Kurram Agency had been cleared of militants, while normalcy had returned to the area. He said educational institutions had been opened, while people had begun business activities.

“We are optimistic that militancy will be eliminated from the area,” he said, adding that return of internally displaced persons had begun.

When asked about the fate of militant commander Fazal Saeed Haqqani wanted by the government, Mr Shahab said all terrorists would be brought to justice.

Officials said these ex-militants confessed to be involved in militancy and other crimes and that they had fought against tribal lashkar and security forces in central parts of the agency.

Later, ex-militants were produced before the media with faced covered under tight security.

One of them told Dawn that he was forced into becoming part of the banned militant outfit and that foreign militants, including Chechens and Uzbeks, had hideouts in central Kurram.

Others said foreign militants operated in Kurram Agency under the command of four local commanders, Abdullah, Mohammad Rasham, Walid and Rafiqullah.

“We have shunned militancy and are now ready to stand by our people and law-enforcement agencies. We want to begin life afresh,” said an ex-militant.

He said like others, he was forced into cooperating with TTP when it began militant activities in Kurram Agency.

Officials said over 30,000 families had been displaced in Kurram Agency after start of sectarian violence and military operation.

They said return of IDPs to the cleared areas of central Kurram Agency began last year and 4,510 of the total 55,299 displaced persons had returned home so far.