Pakistan to allow IDPs return to insurgency-hit Swat by June 17
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, June 3, IRNA -- Tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) as the result of fighting between the security forces and the militants in Swat valley to start returning by June 17, a senior army official said Wednesday.
Officials and the UN refugee agency say that over two million people are displaced from Swat, as well as Buner and Lower Dir districts in the northwest. They are living in camps, relatives and with common people in their houses.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) Major General Ijaz Awan Wednesday told journalists in Mingora, the main city in Swat, said that gas supply has been restored while work is underway to repair the electricity system, destroyed during clashes. He said power supply will be restored in the couple of days.
Taliban had taken control of Mingora earlier last month and the army secured the city this week.
The internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Swat will be allowed to return homes until June 17.
Major General Ijaz said that the security forces have recovered Russian and American weapons from the militants in Mingora. He said that around 572 militants have been killed during the operation in Mingora, launched in the first week of May.
The army officer said that 155 militants who were killed thought to be the second tier of their leadership.
He said that after the completion of military operation a Community Policing System will be established in the area so that the activities of the extremists could be controlled in the future.
The local community leaders will keep a close eye on the activities of the miscreants.
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