Political Agent Khyber Agency, Captain Tariq Hayat (Retd) said on Friday that writ of the government has been restored and the security forces arrested 43 hardened criminals including important commanders during the four days operation against anti-social elements in Jamrud sub-division.
"As many as 43 hardcore militants and anti social elements including important commanders have been arrested and scores of their hideouts have been razed to ground by the security forces." The Agency' top administrator told the visiting journalists at the site of operation Darghalam (Here I Come) in Jamrud that "the trouble makers in Jamrud have either been arrested or they escaped from the agency."
The journalists were also shown huge cache of weapons seized from hideouts of the militants and anti social elements during operation that included aircraft guns, heavy machine guns, fake currency, narcotics, vulgar CDs, grenades, batteries, wines, projector magazines, rocket launchers, computers, rounds, provocative literature and other valuables seized during the operation.
The Political Agent said that the security forces are striking the hideouts of criminals so that they could not stage a comeback, adding that the forces will stay in Jamrud till completion of the desired objectives. To a question about Nato supply through Peshawar-Torkhum road, the main land route connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan, said that the highway is safe and sound for the transportation from 11 am to 4 pm.
The presence of large number of journalists and myself here at Jamrud speaks itself that law and order situation has significantly improved, he said, adding that operation is still in progress in Ali Masjid, Wazir Dhand and its outskirts areas. However, he did not disclose their identity. More than 150 suspected people and harbour of militants were also nabbed under the FCR during the operation.
The political agent said that unregistered Afghan refugees would be deported. He said that Jamrud sub-division of Khyber Agency would be secured after completion of the operation. Tribal elder Abdul Qadeer Kokikhel told reporters that tribal people were fed up with miscreants' activities in Jamrud and they were made hostage by militants from the last couple of days and were forced to stop their shops in one pretext and the other.
He said that tribesmen have extended full support to the security forces during the operation and will continue to do the same in future. He, however said that situation has now improved and all basic facilities are available in the markets. Other tribal elders also supported the operation and vowed that they would fight shoulder to shoulder with security forces in fight against militancy and terrorism.
They demanded of the government to provide compensation to those civilian who suffered human and properties losses during the operation. The security were moved on December 30 last to flush out militants and other anti-social elements from Jamrud after the repeated incidents of looting and attacks on containers carrying supplies for Nato forces stationed in Afghanistan.