Trenches being dug around Parachinar, youth start patrolling

PARACHINAR: The political administration and security forces have asked the tribesmen to keep a vigil on suspected persons in the villages near the Pak-Afghan border as reports had been received about the entry of suicide bombers into the Kurram Agency, official and tribal sources said on Thursday.

They said the political administration had asked the tribal people to remain vigilant following reports about the infiltration of suicide bombers into the Kurram Agency. Armed young men, the sources added, had started patrolling in their villages and neighbourhoods after announcements were made through loudspeakers in the mosques.

The political administration has also started work on digging a trench around the Parachinar town, the headquarters of Kurram Agency where a number of terrorist attacks have taken place.

Talking to The News, Assistant Political Agent Shahid Ali Khan said that the trenches were being dug to stop movement on unfrequented routes being used by terrorists and anti-social elements.

He said this would force people to pass through military checkposts where all the entries and exits would be recorded for security purposes.

The administration also ordered closure of educational institutions in Kurram Agency for three days. However, President of National Educational Council for Fata Murtaza Hussain termed the suspension of educational activities an unnecessary step. Arguing that the administration should take steps for security of the educational institutions, he said that closure was not the solution to the problem.

The heightened security measures have been initiated in the wake of the recent terrorist strike close to the Imambargah in Parachinar that killed 24 persons and caused injuries to many more.