Khyber Agency’s Bagh Maidan cleared of militants: officer

The commanding general officer for Orakzai and the adjacent Tirah Valley, Major General Humayun Aziz, on Wednesday said Bagh Maidan area had been cleared of militants and now it was safe for teh internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return home.

“We have cleared 99 villages and hamlets over an area of 200 square kilometres in 22 days of military action,” Aziz said while briefing reporters.

Bagh Maidan is considered a gateway to Tirah Valley, an inaccessible part of Khyber Agency, governed by administration through tribal elders, mostly based in Bara, Jamrud and Landikotal tehsils. However, now senior officials of the armed forces are desirous of establishing offices of civil administration, schools, hospitals and other facilities in the area.

Aziz said military action in Bagh Maidan began on May 28 and had been completed by June 20. During the 22-day operation, 104 militants were killed and 64 were injured, adding that eight security forces personnel had been martyred and 25 had been injured. The killed included Lt Col Sajiid.

He said earlier 1,000 to 1,500 TTP militants were present in this part of Khyber Agency however now only 500 had been left.

He said while fleeing the militants set on fire almost all houses in the area.