Operations to restore peace in the troubled tribal district of Kurram continued for the second day, with security forces using helicopters to target militant hideouts in various areas of central Kurram.
Curfew has been imposed in Bagan and its surrounding areas since January 19 due to the operation, forcing many families to move to Tal area of Hangu district via Chapri Phatak.
Locals said that two gunship helicopters shelled suspected militant hideouts in Pistwani, Mandra, Sangruba and Jarni areas of central Kurram, but no casualties were reported from the militants.
Sources familiar with the army-led operation launched on Sunday night against the militants said that as per the peace agreement signed between the two groups on December 31, weapons will be collected in different phases, bunkers will be demolished, the state has decided to take strict action against the militants in the district without any discrimination.
The operation continued in Kurram for the second day, although some Kurram elders urged the police, administration and military authorities to postpone the operation due to the cold weather, which would make it difficult for the displaced people to live in the camps, but this request was rejected and the authorities said that the operation could not be delayed further for the sake of lasting peace.
Sources said that due to the expected military operation, 14 families consisting of 91 people were shifted from Bagan, Lower Kurram to Tal, however, camps have not been set up there so far, as this location out of the 5 proposed locations has not been finalized.
According to officials, 23 trucks of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority loaded with relief materials for the displaced people of Bagan reached Hangu. The trucks loaded with 500 tents, 1,000 meters, food and other essential items were handed over to the Hangu administration.
Nawab Bangash, focal person of the Assistant Commissioner in Hangu, said that the necessary items for setting up camps for the temporarily displaced people have been shifted to the tehsil building due to rain in the identified areas.
On the other hand, a case has been registered against 19 suspects in the Counter-Terrorism Department of KP Police. The FIR states that a convoy going to Kurram was attacked with heavy weapons, after which about 200 people looted the convoy and set the vehicles on fire.
It should be noted that on January 16, two security personnel were martyred and four were injured in an attack on a convoy of 35 vehicles carrying food and other essential goods in Bagan. Several drivers were also killed as a result of this attack.
