In FATA, K-P, consistent stride towards peace
Security operations, border management, development initiatives go on in tandem
Security operations, border management, development initiatives go on in tandem. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
As many as 3,994 Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) were conducted in 2017 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) collectively, according to senior security officials.
Giving details for the year in retrospect, an official said 109 hardcore militants had been killed in operations conducted by the security forces across the province and tribal areas. A total of 7,991 suspects were apprehended, he said, adding that 527 improvise explosive devices (IEDs) were seized with a total of two tons of explosive material.
“One of the most significant operations was the recovery of Joshua Boyle and his family,” said the official. “The rescue operation took place with less than two hours of preparation after the information came in.”
Stringent policies: ‘FATA reforms crucial for peaceful Pakistan’
Giving details of the overall operational dividends, he said the number of weapons seized was well over 100,000, which would have been enough to run a war for years. “They can equip four divisions of a military,” he said.
The 300 tons of ammunition recovered during the operations is equivalent to almost 40 MOAB s and 60 ‘daisy cutters’ (The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, whose acronym has inspired the nickname ‘mother of all bombs,’ weighs over 21,000 pounds and was used in April by the United States in Afghanistan against the militant group Islamic State). The official said the seized ammo count had exceeded 10 million.
Army throws weight behind FATA reforms
Operation Faseel-e-Ahan
“One of the main objectives to be achieved is the fencing of the international border,” said the official. “The troops busy in fencing are continually being targeted from terrorists whose abode is in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that 150km of the border had been fenced so far, while the project was continuing concurrently from South Waziristan Agency to Chitral. Explaining further, he said the border fencing and management plan is divided into three phases, first the physical fence, secondly the deployment of the border forces and lastly the implementation of the Intrusion Detection System, an automated surveillance mechanism. The total cost of the project is over Rs10 billion for which more than 400 vehicles and 14 units consisting of 12,000 men are currently working.
The officials said the Operation Faseel-e-Ahan, aimed at “denying infiltration routes to the terrorists from across the border”, was in its 4th phase in Bajaur Agency. “The frustration of the terrorists is evident. They are approaching soft targets and killing innocent people.”
FATA reforms essential for enduring peace and stability, says Gen Qamar
Border management
While a border terminal at Torkham, Khyber Agency, is completely functional, two at Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan and Kharlachi in Kurram Agency will be inaugurated in January.
Developing Fata
The country’s first ever Agricultural Park has been set up in Wana, South Wazristan, an official stated. The concept envisages development of processing, storage and marketing facilities in line with agricultural potential. This would help the local industry grow, he said. The park will consist of 15 warehouses, pine nut plants, vegetable processing units, a fruit and vegetable market as well as a business hub.
The military is pursuing the upgrading and construction of 238km roads, four Army Public Schools, an FC School and a cadet college in the region. Meanwhile, 1,400 shops are also near completion.
“De-radicalisation and integration lie at the heart of all the efforts,” the official said, adding that “the deluded narratives have been put an end to and integration of the local populace is of utmost importance”. There were 3,213 individuals who went through the de-radicalisation programme and have already been reintegrated into the society, while 533 others are in the process.
As many as 3,994 Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) were conducted in 2017 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) collectively, according to senior security officials.
Giving details for the year in retrospect, an official said 109 hardcore militants had been killed in operations conducted by the security forces across the province and tribal areas. A total of 7,991 suspects were apprehended, he said, adding that 527 improvise explosive devices (IEDs) were seized with a total of two tons of explosive material.
“One of the most significant operations was the recovery of Joshua Boyle and his family,” said the official. “The rescue operation took place with less than two hours of preparation after the information came in.”
Stringent policies: ‘FATA reforms crucial for peaceful Pakistan’
Giving details of the overall operational dividends, he said the number of weapons seized was well over 100,000, which would have been enough to run a war for years. “They can equip four divisions of a military,” he said.
The 300 tons of ammunition recovered during the operations is equivalent to almost 40 MOAB s and 60 ‘daisy cutters’ (The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, whose acronym has inspired the nickname ‘mother of all bombs,’ weighs over 21,000 pounds and was used in April by the United States in Afghanistan against the militant group Islamic State). The official said the seized ammo count had exceeded 10 million.
Army throws weight behind FATA reforms
Operation Faseel-e-Ahan
“One of the main objectives to be achieved is the fencing of the international border,” said the official. “The troops busy in fencing are continually being targeted from terrorists whose abode is in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that 150km of the border had been fenced so far, while the project was continuing concurrently from South Waziristan Agency to Chitral. Explaining further, he said the border fencing and management plan is divided into three phases, first the physical fence, secondly the deployment of the border forces and lastly the implementation of the Intrusion Detection System, an automated surveillance mechanism. The total cost of the project is over Rs10 billion for which more than 400 vehicles and 14 units consisting of 12,000 men are currently working.
The officials said the Operation Faseel-e-Ahan, aimed at “denying infiltration routes to the terrorists from across the border”, was in its 4th phase in Bajaur Agency. “The frustration of the terrorists is evident. They are approaching soft targets and killing innocent people.”
FATA reforms essential for enduring peace and stability, says Gen Qamar
Border management
While a border terminal at Torkham, Khyber Agency, is completely functional, two at Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan and Kharlachi in Kurram Agency will be inaugurated in January.
Developing Fata
The country’s first ever Agricultural Park has been set up in Wana, South Wazristan, an official stated. The concept envisages development of processing, storage and marketing facilities in line with agricultural potential. This would help the local industry grow, he said. The park will consist of 15 warehouses, pine nut plants, vegetable processing units, a fruit and vegetable market as well as a business hub.
The military is pursuing the upgrading and construction of 238km roads, four Army Public Schools, an FC School and a cadet college in the region. Meanwhile, 1,400 shops are also near completion.
“De-radicalisation and integration lie at the heart of all the efforts,” the official said, adding that “the deluded narratives have been put an end to and integration of the local populace is of utmost importance”. There were 3,213 individuals who went through the de-radicalisation programme and have already been reintegrated into the society, while 533 others are in the process.