Kurram Agency: 75 militants, 21 soldiers died in 34-day operation

Army spokesman says people are returning to their homes after military cleared the area.

KURRAM AGENCY:

The security forces have cleared Para Chamkani area and established government writ by flushing out the militants from their bastion in the wake of a successful operation in the restive areas of the agency, said Colonel Wasim Zafar Bhatti.

Briefing visiting newsmen in Peshawar, the colonel said 75 extremists were killed; whereas 21 soldiers died and 86 got injured in the 34 days’ operation, which started on May 11, 2013 to drive away extremists who had penetrated into the Para Chamkani area from Khyber Agency on May 6.

The forces were deployed on May 8 in the restive areas while the operation formally started on May 11, 2013. He said the operation was conducted in 28 small and big villages falling in Para Chamkani area of Kurram Agency and the forces successfully accomplished the task assigned to them.

He said 15,000 plus individuals comprising 1,700 families were dislocated due to the operation. These people were sheltered in New Durrani Camp in Sadda Tehsil of Kurram Agency.



Colonel Bhatti informed that 1,300 families comprising 10,500 individuals had been repatriated to their native places; while 400 remaining families were to be sent home before the start of Ramadan.

The families being returned to their areas are provided three month ration and free transport by the Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA), the colonel added.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2013.