The spokesman of NWFP government, Iftikhar Hussein, in his daily news briefing said that TNSM activists were being shifted to Peshawar for trial. "But, they were attacked by the enemies of peace to incite people against the government". However, he claimed that another senior leader of the movement was still alive who had disclosed that they were receiving threats.
A non-commissioned officer (NCO) of Pakistan Army has been martyred and five other personnel were hurt during intense trade of fire between security forces and militants. Alam and Ameer Izzat Khan were killed during firing. Iftikhar attributed the incident to differences among the militants.
The government would have set free the leaders of TNSM, in case they proved innocent in the court of law, he said. He reiterated the resolve of the provincial government that it would not be cowed down through such tactics, saying that it was expecting more of such occurrences.
He said that death toll in Dir Upper mosque blast could climb to 35, and 50 injured, including 10 critically injured persons, who have been shifted to Peshawar through helicopter.
He said that repatriation and future strategy against militants had been discussed during the meeting between the political leadership and military. The meeting decided a joint line of action for dealing such situations in future.
Iftikhar said that Nadra, Emergency Response Unit (ERU), and Social Welfare Department of NWFP would prepare a joint list of the displaced persons (IDPs) to ensure provision of cash relief package to deserving people. He said that a one-time disposable smart ATM card would be issued to IDPs for the encashment of the amount. The spokesman said that the provincial government would go for recruitment of 2500 retired military personnel on a two-year contract. He extended gratitude to President Asif Ali Zardari for the posting of these personnel in the turbulent areas and directing the federal government to bear all expenses in this regard.
He clarified that the provincial government had suspended distribution of food for the IDPs living out of the camps, saying that provision of food relief to the in-camp IDPs was still continuing. He said that so far the provincial government had distributed 46,046 tons food items amongst both in-camp and off-camp IDPs. He said that the government had spent Rs 231.23 million through releasing cash to different institutions and purchase of food and non-food items for the IDPs.
The provincial government, he said, had also dispatched 49 trucks for bringing the stranded people in Swat. Different welfare organisations and philanthropists during last three weeks had deposited Rs 8 million in the account of World Food Programme (WFP).