PESHAWAR: The army is gearing up for launching a full-scale military operation in the strategically located Buner district to defeat the militants and secure control of the area to block their possible advances to other areas, particularly Hazara, official sources told The News on Monday.
“Preparations have been completed for the operation in which air attacks will also be carried out,” sources said. “Air squadron is ready, two brigade army troops are arriving while Frontier Constabulary is already in Buner,” the sources having knowledge of the changing security situation in Malakand region, said.
The government launched a first-ever terrorism-related operation in Maidan area of Lower Dir district to kill or capture militants who have been menacing the peace of the area. The security forces claimed to have killed 46 militants in the two-day action in Lal Qila and Islamdara areas. In Dir, they have also been using gunship helicopters to pound the suspected positions of the militants.
Swat militants, after having a pause in fighting in the valley in the wake of a peace deal, advanced into Buner and Shangla districts. They also provided support to the militants in Lower Dir and Upper Dir to make them able to entrench positions in their respective areas.
Commander Hafizullah, probably a code name and Maulana Amir Khitab, believed to be Afghan, have been leading militants in Lower Dir and Upper Dir, respectively. However, at the moment militant activities in Upper Dir have not been the matter of concern for the security people. The government and military are desperate to clear Buner and Shangla districts of the militants and secure the control of these districts to block further advances by militants, who could threaten key sites of the country.
Maulana Fazlullah-led militants entered Buner district in the first week of April and secured a firm control of the district after a clash in Gokand. After that incident, it was a walkover for them. The militants control caused concern domestically and internationally, forcing the government to take action to neutralise the growing threat. The militants pulled out of Buner district to stave off military operation, but government seems unwilling to trust the militants.
Frontier Constabulary was moved a few days back to Buner to protect government buildings and installations. However, now the government has decided to launch an all-out military operation in Buner to eliminate or flush militants out of the district. Official sources said that Frontier Corps and army troops would take part in the operation. For the purpose, they added, two brigade army troops were arriving in the troubled district. “The operation could be started in the next few days,” the sources said, avoiding giving an exact date for launching action.
A jirga in Buner, the other day, asked militants to stop their activities and demanded of the government not to send security forces to the district.
Air strikes on the positions of the militants, which had been identified, would be carried out. “The air squadron is ready,” sources claimed. These officials said that entry points to Buner from Swabi, Malakand and other districts would be pounded. “Forces will also attack their positions in Sultanwas, Pir Baba, Swarai and other areas.”
The Inspector General of FC was Monday reported to have said that militants were holding sway on 10 to 15 per cent areas of Buner. Some commanders from Swat, sources said, were leading the militants in Buner. The sources believed majority of the militants had come from Swat while they had also recruited locals in their militia. “Militants strength is between 700 and 800,” the sources said.
They also hinted at resumption of military operation in Swat valley. “Militants are not honouring the peace agreement. The armed patrol, display of arms and their other activities continue. We want the militants to stop all these activities to keep the word they have given in peace agreement,” the sources said. However, if they did not mend their way, sources said, action would be launched to defeat them.
“The forces have already started Tor Tandar operation in Lower Dir. We will engage them in Dir, Buner and Swat simultaneously to not allow them space to move. We will eliminate them,” sources claimed. Military spokesman, Maj General Athar Abbas, did not receive calls to confirm or deny the looming operation in Buner.
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