Afghan refugees to shift before action in Pak tribal belt
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, April 12, IRNA - Pakistan plans to shift some 40 thousand Afghan refugees from North Waziristan Agency to Tank district in Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), as reports said another military operation is in the offing. Sources in Peshawar told IRNA that the authorities were recounting and registering the refugees before being shifted to Tank, amid preparations afoot for the fresh operation. These sources said that the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) would assist those who opted to leave for their country instead of being shifted to a new place. Last month, the focus of the Pakistan Army and para-military forces was South Waziristan Agency against Al-Qaeda and Taliban elements and their local supporters in the area. After President General Pervez Musharraf disclosed that some 500-600 suspects and harbourers were present in the tribal belt and not ready to surrender, a massive, unprecedented operation was launched. They were given a deadline twice to lay down arms and hand themselves over to the authorities, but they have declined to do so. The government said that these elements were involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan and also masterminded two attempts on President Musharraf`s life. AHM-MHA/TSH/211 End
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
