Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday denied the reports of the killing of Maulana Fazlullha and the arrest of Maulana Sufi Muhammad by security forces in the ongoing military operation, saying both the reports are incorrect. Talking to reporters outside Parliament House here Malik said that neither Fazalullah was killed nor he or Sufi Muhammad was arrested.
"Swat Operation is going on successfully and the situation for the return of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) would be clear within next few weeks", he added. He made it clear that the security forces had arrested some militant commanders and their deputies; however, Moulana Sufi Muhammad was not arrested. "There is no report of the arrest or killing of Moulana Fazalullah", he added. Malik expressed resolve to exterminate the terrorists from Swat and other parts of Malakand division in next few weeks, saying that the operation will soon culminate with a good note of elimination of terrorists from these areas.
Some would be suicide bombers have also been arrested during the military operation and their dens were destroyed and huge dumps of arms, ammunition and logistics was seized, which had broken the terrorists' back, Rehman Malik said. Malik said the areas of Mingora, Kalam and Buner have been cleared after military operation and people of these areas will return to their homes soon after restoration of utilities and other civic facilities in these areas.
To a question regarding the timeframe for the return of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), the minister said the infrastructure was badly affected in the Operation Zone and the daily use items were not available. He said that the forces have cleared Buner and the IDPs can return to their homes. Government is making efforts to repair the damaged infrastructure in the areas cleared by the army and the Special Support Group formed by the Prime Minister.