Tightening the noose: Authorities ‘identify militant infested’ areas in the city

High-level huddle held to discuss security concerns, counter strategy.

PESHAWAR:

In the aftermath of the recent terror attacks, authorities have identified multiple ‘militant hubs’ within the provincial capital and are preparing for targeted operations to put a halt to militant activity in the region.

“The recent attacks will have a negative impact on peace talks between the government and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) [that are] expected to be result-based,” stated an official document which also specifies several areas said to be infested with militants.



The concerns were also shared during a high-level huddle between senior officials. The meeting was attended by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chief secretary, home secretary, provincial police chief, additional chief secretary of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (ACS FATA), officials of 11 Corps Headquarters, deputy commissioner, officials of Frontier Constabulary (FC), additional inspector general (AIG) special branch, capital city police chief, senior superintendent police (operations) and officials of 10 Corps Rawalpindi.

“We have serious concerns over the reemergence of militants in Swat who have been uniting themselves in Afghanistan’s Kunar province from where they carry out attacks,” Home and Tribal Affairs Secretary Akhtar Ali Shah was quoted as saying during the meeting. He also reportedly termed the recent attacks “a plot to sabotage the peace process.”

IGP Nasir Khan Durrani stressed on the need to launch immediate action against militants, adding: “Militants were not giving them space for better planning.

“In such state of affairs, there is no atmosphere for holding peace dialogues with militants.”

“Recording videos of terror activities helps show their (militants’) terrible attitude and facilitate audit for payment [of compensation],” said Durrani during the meeting.

Participants of the meeting also reached a consensus that preventive action should be taken and security enhanced for Police Lines, Officers Mess, police hospitals and Civil Secretariat since the possibility of future attacks could not be ruled out.

Earlier on Sunday, Home Secretary Shah told the media recent attacks should not be seen in isolation, but as a continuation of what has been happening in the province for a long time. He said a task force headed by the chief secretary, 11 Corps, FC, AIG, ACS FATA, commissioners, home department officials, IGP, Corps Headquarters and provincial intelligence agencies should be formed to tackle militancy at the provincial level.

Another special task force headed by Peshawar commissioner, deputy commissioner and capital city police officials will be constituted to safeguard Peshawar. The task force will use the army at the local level and Shah said the short and long-term goals of the task force will be specified in a meeting.

“K-P inspector general police will be heading the counter-insurgency as well as intelligence operations on an immediate basis till the task forces complete their jobs,” explained Shah.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2013.