Landmines: Orakzai, still a dangerous minefield

HANGU: Former operation commander Orakzai Agency, Brigadier Asif Jillani said the repatriation of Upper Orakzai Agency’s residents has been delayed as landmines planted by militants have not been cleared yet. He was talking to a delegation from Orakzai, headed by the political agent, on Thursday. He said after a spike in militancy in Orakzai, the military launched an operation and residents were asked to leave temporarily. Most of them were registered as internally displaced persons and went to live at various camps. Jillani spoke of “the large network of landmines” in the agency which could not be swept clean. He said bomb disposal units working in the agency had left for North Waziristan when Operation Zarb-e-Azb started. This further delayed the process. “Repatriation to the area is not possible till the BDU clears the area.” Jillani added, “If IDPs returned at this stage, they would be risking their lives.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2015.