Operation against militants on the cards in outskirts of Peshawar
24 Aug 2008, 1227 Hrs

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Peshawar, Aug 24 (ANI): Following an upsurge in militancy in Peshawar in the recent weeks, an operation against suspected militants was on the cards in the outer-skirts of Peshawar, said security sources.

They said that the provincial government had decided to launch the operation in Peshawar and its suburbs to purge the city of militants. However, the sources said the mode of operation would be decided at the time of its launch.

The decision to launch the operation comes in the wake of increasing militant activities in the Mattani and Mathra areas of the city, which are close to Mohmand Agency, another militancy hotbed, reported the Daily Times.

The sources added that the operation had become necessary due to "increasing militancy" as well as the loss of security forces and government installations by militants in these areas.

Militancy surged in Peshawar's outskirts during August, even as militants targeted the Mattani Police Station several times. The police station is situated near the semi-tribal Darra Adam Khel area.

Earlier this month, militants blew up an electricity pylon, plunging Peshawar city into darkness for more than a week.

Militants killed 13 people, including seven Pakistan Air Force (PAF) personnel, on August 12 in a bomb attack on the Kohat Road in the limits of the Badhaber Police Station. A check-post was blown up in the jurisdiction of Mathra Police Station the same day.

Residents in Mathra say militants patrol in their area during nights, and that security forces had moved in areas near Mohmand Agency a few days ago to launch an operation. A local jirga assured police officers of support on August 16 for an operation against militants. (ANI)