PESHAWAR: Major search operations were launched in Peshawar’s posh Hayatabad and Shah Hasankhel area of district Lakki Marwat on Saturday.
Two suspects were arrested as a major search and data-collection operation was launched Saturday in the posh Hayatabad locality to clear the township of militants and Afghans residing illegally.
Around 300 cops are participating in the major operation that was launched in Phase-I, Phase-VI and Phase-VII. The action is likely to be extended to other parts of the posh township, sharing miles long boundary with the tribal Khyber Agency.
“Police are checking the areas close to the tribal Khyber Agency to verify the identity of the non-permanent residents. The watchmen are also being verified so that the criminals and militants could not be provided any cover in the locality,” senior superintendent of police (SSP) Coordination, Qazi Jamilur Rahman, told The News.
The step has been taken after deterioration in the law and order situation and spread of militants to Hayatabad and other urban localities. A number of criminal gangs and militant outfits have reportedly rented houses in Hayatabad and other colonies where they are living without any fear.
With two union councils spread over a vast area, Hayatabad hosts thousands of people from across the NWFP, Fata and other parts of the country. Besides, thousands of Afghan families have also rented houses in the locality despite having no proper documents.
A search operation was also launched in the cantonment area where thousands of people are living in rented rooms in buildings, constructed for hosting bachelors.
Police have strictly directed the property dealers of the city not to rent out any house to strangers without proper verification. The dealers were warned of action in case someone committed crime in these rented buildings.
Also, the rent-a-car dealers have been ordered to give their vehicles only to those who they know or who have proper guarantees. There were reports that apart from using lifted cars; most of the terrorists and criminals get vehicles from the rent-a-car dealers.
Our correspondent from Lakki Marwat adds: Security forces launched a search operation in Shah Hasankhel area, believed to be a stronghold of the local militants, in the early hours of Saturday.
Troops, accompanied by heavy contingent of police, made an advancement from their base camps towards Shah Hasankhel village situated in the bed of mountainous region at a distance of 20-25 kilometres in the south of Lakki city,” sources said. They said the soldiers, backed by artillery and excavators, started moving towards the area in the morning.
The administration had got the shops and markets closed on both sides of Lakki-Mianwali Road the whole day for security measures and to clear the road for passing of army vehicles taking part in the search operation.
The link roads leading to Shah Hasankhel and other villages and hamlets were completely sealed and residents of the surrounding villages directed to stay indoors.
The sources said the troops surrounded Shah Hasankhel village and pounded the hideouts of militants with mortar shells.
“Several hideouts used by the militants were destroyed as a result of artillery shelling,” the sources said, adding that security forces also demolished at least four houses and a ‘so-called’ seminary of militants in the village with the help of excavators. “Militants would use the seminary as a place of shelter and to chalk out plans for carrying out subversive acts in the district,” the sources said.
“Security forces are targeting the hideouts of militants with mortar shells,” a villager from Zangikhel said. “We can hear the sound of artillery
firing,” he said, adding that the villagers had been confined
to their homes due the search operation.
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