Terrorists command structure, training camps in Malakand destroyed: three officers, 13 soldiers martyred

Security forces have crushed the command structure of terrorists and all training camps were destroyed, while the recruits have either been killed or arrested in Malakand. Besides, huge cache of arms, ammunition, explosives, stolen vehicles and other equipments were recovered during the ongoing operation "Rah-e-Raast" by the security forces.
During last 24 hours, 18 terrorists were killed in Swat and North Waziristan Agency, while 16 security forces personnel, including three officers, were martyred and six soldiers, including one officer, were injured, said Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Athar Abbas here on Monday.
Major General Abbas, addressing a joint press conference with Federal Information Minister Qamaruzzaman Kaira, said during the operation, launched from different directions, the security forces had cleared Biha valley and Shamozai areas of the terrorists. "The operation has linked up at critical junctions and with securing of Biha valley in the north and Shamozai in the west, main areas occupied by terrorists, have been cleared," he added.
"Their entire command structure of the terrorists has been totally dismantled, their training centres discovered and destroyed, their recruits either killed or driven away/ran away and their ammunition dumps destroyed," Abbas said, adding that the terrorist headquarters at Peochar, Chhaprial, Matta, Khawazakhela, Mingora, Kabbal, Shrine of Banai Baba, Sakhra valley, Saidu Sharif and Biha valley had been destroyed.
He said that in North Waziristan Agency that on Sunday evening, a convoy of security forces, which was moving from Gharlamai to Wucha Bibi, came under intense fire followed by explosions of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at Inzar Kass. The Security forces retaliated the terrorists' strike and inflicted heavy losses on terrorists. During the fierce battle, Lieutenant Colonel Tahir, Captain Abid and Lieutenant Zeeshan were martyred.
While 10 terrorists were killed, he said, adding that 12 soldiers were martyred while four succumbed to their injuries later in the Combined Military Hospital, taking the toll to 16. The ISPR Director General said that the security forces in Swat successfully established link up at Khel Kandao, while they were consolidating their positions in areas around Dangram, Kukarai and Jambil in Buner district.
The security forces secured areas around Khazana, Zarra Khela and Garai and are consolidating their positions in secured areas of Kabbal, Dhadara, Akhun Khalle and Rangeela, he said, adding that the security forces commenced clearance and search from Shalkosar towards Jukhtai and Balasur towards Shah Dheri. He said that the security forces had arrested a terrorist namely Muhammad Raheem alias Bhai of Sambat from near Shangla.
He said that on a tip off, the security forces conducted a raid on a compound in Khawazakhela, in which eight terrorists were killed and a few weapons and some explosives were recovered. "It is heartening to know that hundreds of young men are showing their inclination for joining the community police force in Upper Dir. Appropriate steps are being taken to recruit them," Abbas said. He said that in Upper Dir, local militia, "Lashkar," had further closed on to terrorists trapped in a village Shortkas-Dogdarra.
He said that the security forces during a search operation at Nek Ikthair house in Lower Dir, recovered 11 tons of wheat stolen from the World Food Programme (WFP) on May 4. The wheat has been distributed amongst the IDPs. Meanwhile, tribesmen from Chamarkand and Kamangara areas met security officials in Bajur, and assured them of full support to the government and security forces in eradication of the anti-state elements, the military spokesman told reporters.
Talking on relief activities and restoration of utility services, the ISPR chief said that the government institutions were functional at Buner, Dir, Mohmand, and partially functional at Swat and Bajur. He said that electricity, PTCL, mobile phone services and Sui gas services had been functional at Buner, Dir Mohmand and Swat. He said that 2,885 cash cards had been distributed amongst the IDPs of Malakand Division.