Search operation: Dozens arrested after raids in FR Peshawar

Locals say skirmishes between two villages in the area are a routine.

PESHAWAR: Security forces on Tuesday launched a search operation in two villages of Frontier Region (FR) Peshawar and arrested dozens of people during a door-to-door raid.

Contingents of Pakistan Army entered the Kandhao Asho Khel area of FR Peshawar early morning and surrounded the Bashi Khel and Sambi Khel villages. During the operation, a large cache of weapons was seized and dozens of suspects arrested.

Assistant Political Agent (APA) of FR Peshawar, Naveed Akbar confirmed the operation in Kandao Asho Khel. He, however, said security forces have not shared any information with them so far.

In response to a question, APA Akbar said a full-fledged operation is not being considered at this time. Any such decision will be taken by the Fata Secretariat, he added.

Locals said residents of both villages had a feud with each other and skirmishes were a routine. Both sides procure heavy arms and use them against each other, they added.

This is the second operation carried out by security forces in recent months. The first operation was conducted after 23 levies personnel were kidnapped in December 2012, said a local elder. Around 40 people were arrested in that operation, but only three were detained. The rest were released, he maintained.

The current operation is still going on and the army has surrounded the entire locality, the elder added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2013.