The security forces have killed seven terrorists and arrested seven other during the last 24 hours in the ongoing operation "Rah-e-Raast" in different parts of Malakand division, while six soldiers, including two officers, were also martyred and three sustained injures. On a tip off, the security forces conducted clearance operation against a suspected rebel compound at Sakhra.
During the operation, the security forces came under heavy firing by the terrorists. However, after a fierce battle, one terrorist was killed. Three stolen vehicles and a huge cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered, the spokesman of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said here on Wednesday.
In another search and sweep operation at Charbagh - Mangaltan - two officers (Major Attique and Captain Amir) and four soldiers were martyred and three others sustained injuries, he said.
The spokesman said that the security forces had consolidated their positions in Kabbal, Akhun Kalle, Dadhrah, Khazna and Gardi after clearing the area of terrorists. He said that local elders met local commander of the security forces at Kuz Laikot near Kalam, and reaffirmed their support to the security forces in the ongoing military operation against terrorists.
They agreed to provide all kinds of information to the security forces and organised a defence committee for protection of their area, he added. In Gwalerai area, the security forces launched operation and arrested a local commander Alamgir along with his father, he said.
He said that the security forces conducted search operation at Kota area of Dir district where six terrorists were killed and seven arrested along with a small machine gun. The security forces established a medical camp at Sakhra where 478 patients were treated, he said, adding that on the demand of people of Sakhra, Sufa Public School had been opened. Efforts were at hand to open other institutions, he added.
He said that banking facility was functional in Besham, while postal service had been made functional in Dir, Bajur and Mohmand. Besides, public institutes were functional in Buner, Besham, Dir and Mohmand and police had started taking control in Khawazakhela, said the spokesman. He said that 23 doctors moved to Mingora to provide medical facilities to the stranded people of Mingora.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the government has taken back June 25 deadline for the return of the Swat displaced persons to their homes. The new deadline would be announced later, said the sources. The decision of the cancellation of the deadline has perturbed hundreds of thousand IDPs of Swat living in the camps in Mardan.