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Pak gov`t plans tribal areas` disarmament

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 29, IRNA -- The Pakistan government plans to launch a
disarmament campaign in the country`s tribal areas shortly. 
A senior official in the NWFP Interior Ministry, who requested not 
to be named, told IRNA in Peshawar on Monday that directives had 
already been issued to the ministry by the federal government. 
Under the campaign, the tribal areas would be purged of "dangerous"
heavy weaponry, the official maintained. 
The decision to launch the campaign was taken to ensure security 
in the region and prevent rocket attacks as three short-ranged 
projectiles hit Peshawar last week. 
Traditionally, tribal people are allowed to carry arms for their 
safety in the semi-autonomous areas. 
As part of the campaign, illegal arms markets in different 
localities including the one in Darra Adamkhel, Angoor Adda and 
Karkhano would also be closed. Already there are some legal arms 
markets operating in the tribal belt. 
The campaign, the official said in response to a question, was 
expected to be launched after a comprehensive strategy, following the 
recently concluded operation to flush out foreign terrorists in the 
tribal areas and their local harborers. 
The government has said at the beginning of the operation two 
weeks back that some 500-600 terrorists were believed hiding in the 
tribal areas. 
AHM-MHA/TSH/LS/210 
End