The residents of South Waziristan’s Tiarza tehsil have been ordered to vacate the area within two days in view of a likely operation against the militants.
South Waziristan Political Agent Shahidullah Khan told a private news channel on Tuesday that Mehsud tribesmen residing in Ziarat Zay, Salway, Sanjla, Konday, Gharsar and other areas had been ordered to vacate the area within two days.
He said militants in these areas had been attacking security forces since the last several days.
On Sunday, 18 militants were killed and nine security men were martyred in clashes, which had made the operation in the areas necessary.
He said in October 2009 operation, tribesmen from all other areas except Tiarza had vacated. Tribal elders said people had started preparations for moving out of the area. They had appealed to the government and international organizations to make arrangements on a priority basis for the evacuating families.