Returning Tirah IDPs face Himalayan task of rebuilding their homes

TIRAH, Khyber Agency: Though the displaced families have returned to Maidan area in Tirah valley after the successful military operation, they are struggling to rebuild their destroyed houses.
Thousands of families had left Maidan area in 2013 after the government launched military operation to purge the area of militants.
Many families are still living in tents and with relatives as they could not rebuild their houses due to lack of resources and support from the government.
Locals said at least 40 percent houses in Maidan were destroyed completely while 30 percent were without roofs.
Talking to The News, 85-year-old Janaat Khan Afridi belonging to Bar Qambarkhel tribe said that militants of various outfits attacked the fighters of pro-government Ansarul Islam, killing and injuring many of them along with civilians.
He said the Taliban occupied the territory, torched the houses and destroyed the infrastructure.