Countering terror: ‘Militants are trying to regroup in Swat’

123 attacks have been carried out in Dir by terrorists from across the border.

MINGORA: Militants are trying to regroup in the Swat Valley and could carry out attacks, said Swat General Officer Commanding (GOC) Major General Ghulam Qamar. He was addressing the Malakand advisory council in Khwaza Khela headquarters of the security forces on Tuesday.

The participants included Commissioner of Malakand Division Dr Fakhr-e-Alam, DCOs, DPOs, political leaders and elders. Qamar said that 260 militants have been killed in cross border attacks from Afghanistan and 123 attacks have been carried out in Dir after militants crossed into Pakistani territory from Afghanistan.

All attacks were repulsed and they can no longer cross the border in Dir and Swat areas, he said. Qamar cautioned that militants will try to carry out their activities through Khyber Agency and Buner, for which they must prepare.

The efforts of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat chapter have been thwarted but now they have joined hands with other factions of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and will carry out attacks with their help. Malakand and Swat valley is on their priority, Qamar said. “The militants will try to sneak into our ranks and we must stand firm.”



Talking about the development projects in Malakand, Qamar said the Kalam Road project will be complete by November this year. “The work on Swat Expressway will begin soon, while in Dir, we are working on constructing 21 bridges,” he said. The government has allocated Rs5 million to establish vocational centres for women.

The army chief has also directed that the Malakand youth be recruited in the army, Qamar added.

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