Operation in Swat to continue: Army

MINGORA - The high-ups of armed forces have claimed killing of 94 militants during the five days operation in Matta and Kabal regions of Swat District whereas 14 personnel of the security forces and secret agencies were killed.

"The forces were left with no other option except initiating operation against Taliban in the wake frequent violation of the peace agreement," Brig Zia Bodla remarked while briefing the media at Saidu Sharif Swat on Monday. He termed the operation very successful, whereas the militants have been confined to certain pockets in the region.

Giving details of casualties during the operation, Brig Zia Bodla confirmed killing of 28 civilians at scattered places. He also confirmed that three out of 14 personnel of the security forces were affiliated with the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

In response to a question, Brig Bodla said that Swat operation was launched with the consent of the NWFP government and it could be stopped according to the directive of the provincial government. He, however, said that the operation was initiated when Taliban had indulged themselves in violation of the peace agreement very frequently. In this respect, he invited the attention towards destruction of schools.

In the last five days, the Taliban destroyed one dozen schools and during the year-long militancy and terrorism acts, around 137 schools were destroyed. "We defused eight bombs on Saturday alone," he said. He said that 83 of these schools were set on fire and 35 were blown up with explosives.  He informed that 70,000 students including 30,000 girl students were affected with destruction of these schools.

In response to another question, the armed forces chief for Swat region claimed that so far they had distributed 966 tons of edible items amongst the people of Swat. He also informed that Army Medical Corps arranged five free medical camps, providing medical care and prescriptions to 6162 patients. Likewise, the armed forces were also engaged in execution of development schemes worth Rs 600 million and 58 per cent work on the schemes was almost complete.

Meanwhile, the Taliban fighters are continuing their activities and have set on fire Girls schools at Engoro Dheri, Besh Banr and Community School at Kishwara. The militants have also set on fire a Basic Health Unit at Kishwara and Forest Department Office at Manglawar.

Our Monitoring Desk adds: ISPR incharge Major Farooq said that curfew would be relaxed from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm at Mangora-GT Road whereas other areas of district would remain under curfew.