Operation against aliens in Wana Resumes
By Zulf Khan Afridi with Umer Sohail in Islamabad - Pakistan Times Staffers

WANA (South Waziristan): Operation against aliens resumed in Wana and artillery was being used periodically from Wana Army Colony. Operation also underway in the areas of Tayarza Qila, Santoi and Javar of Shakai valley.

Tribal elders of South Waziristan say that the fresh operation was set off on Sunday morning involved heavy artillery may cause loss of lives but this was not confirmed by the government officials.

Reportedly, those tribes who had cooperated with Security to capture foreign aliens would be provided items of daily use by the government. A special monetary package may also be announced from the government for the tribes not involved in any sabotage activity.

Political, military means being Used

And in Islamabad, the ISPR DG said that Security forces have exchanged fire with miscreants in north of Shakai in South Waziristan Agency.

“Miscreants in north of Shakai started firing over security forces in the morning today. Security forces retaliated and the exchange of fire was continued for some time”, the ISPR Director General, Maj. General Shaukat Sultan said. No deaths or injuries reported in the shootout, he said.

Denies Operation Stories

Responding to a question he said: “No new operation was launched in the area neither the operation was ended.”

Political process and military action was continued side by side with efforts for getting aliens surrender and register them with the government and the local men helping foreigners stopping help to them and surrender them to the authorities, he said.

Political Process

And in Multan, Director Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Brig. Shahjahan Khan while talking to the local newspaper editors and newsmen said on Sunday that the government was continuing political process in Wana while giving due respect to the tribal customs and it has started showing positive results.

"Political process in Wana was going very well and positive development has been witnessed since its resumption from June 9 till todate", he said while praising the tribal people for their sacrifices for the country.

"Only a handful of people there are trouble makers", he added. Brig. Shahjahan Khan said, search operation, participation of Lashkars of tribes and Jirga process were continuing. Economic sanctions have been partly lifted which show that things were improving there.

War on Terror

He said, "War against terrorism was our own war that we have to fight for our own country, our society."

"Policies are a tool to achieve national objectives, aims and nations survive on national objectives", he said adding that the government just wants the foreigners in the tribal region to register themselves.

To a question, the ISPR Director said, tribesmen were being facilitated to help government in getting the foreigners registered and one tribesman can give guaranty for five persons.●