KP Govt to announce bounty on heads of terrorists
Tariq Saeed Peshawar
As uncertainty continues to surround the restive Kurram tribal district following the attack on forces convoy where in Deputy Commissioner along with few men in uniform were injured seriously on Saturday the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government Sunday imposed Section 144 in the region for two months period with an aim to preserve peace and prevent any untoward incidents.
The KP government is also going to announce bounties on the heads of terrorists involved in the recent firing incident in Bagan area of lower Kurram as in a major development, militants behind the attack on Deputy Commissioner’s convoy in Kurram district a day earlier have reportedly been identified.
The decision to this effect was made during an emergency meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, where the situation following the attack on the Deputy Commissioner of Kurram and security personnel was reviewed. The meeting, attended by IG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other senior officials, emphasized strict legal action against those responsible for breaching the peace agreement in the area. It was decided that all individuals involved in the firing incident would be prosecuted, with cases registered and immediate arrests to follow.
The district administration confirmed Sunday that the 80-vehicle convoy has not yet left for the affected areas and will be dispatched as soon as the road is cleared. The vehicles loaded with vital items including, medicines and other essential commodities of daily use were bound for the violence-marred region but were held back following the latest attack. The KP government decided to allow the convoys carrying essentials after security clearance.
KP Chief Minister’s advisor on Information Barrister Saif has reassured that the government will ensure peace as per the peace accord and the anti-peace elements would be dealt with iron hands.
Terming the attack on the DC as an attempt to sabotage peace, the KP government spokesperson said that the aid convoy whose vehicles are parked in Tal has only been temporarily halted due to security concerns and would be dispatched soon after they receive due clearance.
The Additional Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has issued a notification imposing Section 144 in Kurram district for a period of two months. According to the notification, authorities will launch a crackdown against those responsible for destabilizing peace in Kurram. The directive also includes a ban on all types of public gatherings and the display of weapons on the main highway in the district. According to another notification issued by the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a grade 18 officer Ashfaq Khan has been assigned the role of acting DC
Sources revealed that in addition to the five suspects identified, cases will be registered against other facilitators involved in the attack. The individuals involved in firing will be handed over to the authorities and arrests will be made promptly after the case is registered amid government resolve to award exemplary punishment to those disrupting the regional peace and frustrate efforts to bring normalcy in Kurram for their vested interests.
