Alarm bells in Waziristan after uptick in violence

Local administration issues terrorism alerts citing intelligence reports

MIRANSHAH:

The local administration of North Waziristan on Tuesday issued threat alerts to employees working for government and semi-government organisations in the wake of recent militancy incidents in the tribal district.

It is pertinent to mention that five people including four women working for an NGO were killed and 10 people were kidnapped in two separate incidents in K-P’s North Waziristan tribal district on February 22.

Both the incidents took place in the Mir Ali tehsil of North Waziristan which is considered the main hub of terrorism in the district.

The threat alerts issued from the district police stated that recent intelligence reports showed that high level threats continued to prevail in the district.

The notification added that the attack on NGO employees was a repercussion of the recent measures taken by the Pakistan Army against militant groups by dismantling their bases.

Terrorist involved in killing of women NGO workers killed in NW IBO

The threat alert warned that militants could hit any soft or hard target in retaliation. Security forces, NGOs, tribal elders and journalists could all be on militant target lists.

All government employees, NGOs, media personnel, notables supporting government stance on various issues and influential people were advised to avoid unnecessary travel and public gatherings apart from adopting extra measures for their security.

The district administration has also directed residents to avoid displaying of weapons despite having legal permission. Any person found displaying weapons in public places would be liable to legal proceedings.

The general public was also cautioned to take extra care during the day and asked to inform local authorities in case of any emergency.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2021.