Tirah Valley: Security forces clear out militants from Maidan

Operation was monitored by army chief Gen Kayani himself.

PESHAWAR:

Security forces on Thursday claimed they have cleared out all militant strongholds from the Maidan area of Tirah Valley, in an operation overseen by Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani himself.

According to a statement issued by ISPR, security forces accomplished the mission of clearing out militants from the valley and gained complete control of the Maidan area.

The army chief, who had been visiting Khyber Agency to monitor the operation, lauded the troops for their ‘swift and successful’ completion of operations and the eviction of all terrorists from the area. He especially appreciated their resolve, commitment and sacrifices during the operations, the ISPR release stated.

Gen Kayani directed that despite all difficulties, all possible care must be taken to ensure that the people of the area do not suffer needlessly and internally displaced persons (IDPs) are rehabilitated as early as possible.

Meanwhile, the army chief also inaugurated a 50km road from Wana – the main town of the South Waziristan Agency – to Angoor Adda.

Speaking at the occasion, he said the army would maintain its presence in Waziristan until complete peace was restored in the area and the people were satisfied with the law and order situation.

Gen Kayani also assured IDPs from the South Waziristan Agency of military support and appealed to them to return to their areas. He said that uplift schemes for the area had been completed and would only fulfill their purpose once the residents of the area returned. He added that no one would partake in terrorism if the tribal region prospered.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2013.