Security forces on Friday repelled militants that had crossed over from Afghanistan into the Shengara Darra area of Upper Dir District, officials said.
The militants were trying to target Shengara Darra area which is located near Nusrat Darra which was attacked by militants on Wednesday morning. At least 30 militants crossed the border at around 10:00am on Friday and tried to target a local village but were deterred by security forces, a local resident Ahmad Khan told The Express Tribune via phone. He said the local community too has already organised a lashkar (peace committee) to protect the area which has seen repeated raids by militants from across the border.
Paramilitary forces and police personnel were deployed in the area after Wednesday’s attack, Sher Bahadar, a local police officer, said. “The militants are trying to spread fear and destabilise the peace of the Barawal area, which remained stable during the militancy and military operation in Malakand Division,” Bahadar added.
Meanwhile, sources said that two locals were kidnapped by militants on Friday from Shateez village in Nusrat Darra. “The militants took the victims across the border and are now demanding that bodies of their comrades - who were killed in Wednesday’s clashes between local lashkars and militants - be returned to them, Malak Zafar, deputy chief Shaltalu told The Express Tribune. “We will not surrender before the terrorists because we are fighting for a great cause which is the protection of our country, and a better future for our children. The terrorists are fighting in the name of Islam but killing innocent Muslims,” Zafar said.
He said that local lashkars are monitoring the border areas since the June 1 attack on Shaltalo and Sunni Darra, and now they are ready to fight every insurgent who crosses the border. Local elders have also decided to convene a Jirga in the next couple of days to formulate a strategy on how to counter these militants from across the border, Zafar said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2011.
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its very strange, Pakistan army have their camp on Shahi area near the Pak-Afghan border than how hundrads militants crossed border and raided on Pakistani areas? and how these all attackers go back safe and sound? whats our Army are doing in these areas and why they are not targeting the attackers through chopers?