BUNER, April 30: Militants blew up a camp of the Frontier Constabulary and took away weapons, while jets and helicopters continued heavy bombing on their suspected positions in different parts of Buner district on Thursday.
According to sources, two FC platoons which had been besieged at the Jawar Camp on Wednesday night were allowed to leave after surrendering to the militants.
The militants took away an APC and a large haul of weapons before destroying the camp and a checkpoint, the sources said.
A police vehicle was also taken away and a police station was set on fire in Pir Baba town.
Local people said militants had control of Ambela Chowk, Pacha, Nawagai, Jungai, Swarai, Gagera, Dewana Baba, Pir Baba and Sultanwas.
Security forces stepped up air strikes and ground forces, backed by tanks and heavy artillery positioned in Rustam area of the Mardan district, attacked targets in Buner.
Helicopters attacked militants in Sultanwas town where they had set up makeshift headquarters at the house of a tribal elder after forcing his family to leave.
Planes bombed Karaker, Dermai pass, Darazai pass and Ambela.
Militants have blown up two bridges near Ambela in a bid to block the movement of ground forces.
Militants are reported to have planted explosive devices along the area’s main road and at other places.
Hundreds of families, among them Afghan refugees, left their homes and headed towards Swabi and Mardan. People in Daggar, the district headquarters, were facing shortage of food and other essentials items because of curfew.
Troops had arrived in the town by helicopters on Wednesday. Haleem Asad adds from Timergara: Two children were injured in shelling by helicopters in Gul Abad as security forces continued their operation in parts of Lower Dir district.
According to sources, militants were still holding positions in Gul Abad. No casualty among militants was reported in the attacks by helicopter gunships.
Militants took away two vehicles from the hujra of MNA Malik Azmat Khan of the Pakistan People’s Party at Ouch. A vehicle was taken away from the Chakdara timber market, owned by the Forest Development Corporation (FDC).
Militants moved in two vehicles on the Chakdara-Timergara road near Gul Abad.
Source: Pakistan Dawn
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