Operation Brekhna: Kayani visits Mohmand Agency

Kayani visits troops in Mohmand after launch of second phase of military’s campaign against militants.

Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited troops in the Mohmand tribal district on Thursday after the launch of the second phase of the military’s campaign against militants in the region adjacent to the border with Afghanistan.

The military launched “Operation Brekhna” after a series of attacks by Taliban militants against the local population, including several suicide bombs and kidnappings of tribal leaders. As a result of its campaign against the Taliban, at least 50,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) have been able to return to their homes, claims the military in a statement released to the press.

The civilian administration of the district has been trying to assist many of the IDPs in their resettlement efforts.

The army chief, who visited the area along with Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Asif Yasin Malik, held discussions with local tribal leaders as well as the commanders of the military units stationed at Mohmand, to assess the strategy against the Taliban.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2011.