The authorities have claimed that after flushing militants from certain border regions of Upper Dir on Sunday, the situation in the area is under control.
“With the help of volunteers of local peace committees, the security forces are hunting for militants who had entered Pakistan from Afghanistan two days ago,” District Coordination Officer Ghulam Muhammad Khan told Pakistan Today.
He said a large number of militants had been killed,a dding that seven bodies of Taliban were still in the possession of the local administration.
The militants, after crossing over entered Nusrat Darra, Soni Darra, Shahi and Kafaro Cheena areas. Upon entering, they destroyed around four schools, four houses of members of peace lashkar, 15 shops and one mosque. They also killed a local tribesman and injured several others.
However, in retaliatory action, joint squads of security forces and local peace lashkar succeeded in flushing away the militants from Pakistani territory. Locals said around 41 militants were killed and several others were arrested.
Due to the unrest in the area, locals have abandoned their houses and migrated to nearby areas.
The DCO said the situation was now under control and the displaced people were being asked to return.
Locals said around 100 families had abandoned homes whereas the DCO said around “70 to 80 individuals, including women and children, had abandoned homes and were living with relatives”.
Officials alleged that Pakistani militants with help of their accomplices from Afghanistan had set up hideouts in Kunar and Nooristan provinces of Afghanistan from where they were attacking government and private installations in Upper Dir and Bajaur Agency.