Security forces launched a major offensive against militants in central Kurram Agency, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Maj General Athar Abbas said on Monday.
“The operation has been launched with the aim of clearing the region of militants who have indulged in kidnapping and suicide attacks on security installations and forces there,” Abbas told Reuters. Security forces claimed achievements on the first day of action against militants in various areas of central Kurram Agency, with officials saying they had destroyed two militant outposts, killing six militants, and successfully entered a number of regions without any resistance.
TROOPS ENTER THE AREA:
A senior officer of the Frontier Corps said troops backed by tanks, artillery and gunship helicopters had moved into the area, Online news agency reported. Security forces had begun the operation late on Sunday night in various regions of central Kurram Agency. The military action is focused on militants hiding in Ali Sherzai, Masozai, Zeemusht and surrounding areas.
Officials said Special Services Group (SSG) commandos had been airlifted to the top of the mountains surrounding the areas in question, and after taking possession of the peaks, the militants had come under siege from all four sides. The security forces successfully entered Gawaki, Manato, Dombaki and other villages of Zeemusht without any resistance, they said, adding that they were now conducting door to door searches in the area to weed out any militants hiding with civilians.
Security forces were seen hoisting national flags on top of mountains and also on checkposts recently opened in the area, since this particular region has been occupied by militants for the last three and a half years. Officials in Parachinar said that forces had encountered resistance in Chanarak and Ali Sherzai, where they had destroyed two militant outposts and killed six militants. The officials said security forces had completely cordoned off the area and closed all link roads to private traffic.
The administration had set up a camp for the internally displaced people near Sadda Town, said the official, adding that more than 4,000 families from the areas affected by the conflict had been displaced so far. However, most of the displaced people preferred to stay with relatives in other areas instead of the camp, they said, with only 36 families living at the camp set up in Daranai.
