UPPER DIR, April 26: A large number of people in different areas of Upper Dir district have voluntarily handed over heavy weapons to security forces.

The weapons included rockets, heavy machine guns, mortars, anti-aircraft guns and a large number of rounds. The security forces showed the surended weapons and ammunitions to journalists in Wari town on Thursday and appreciated people for cooperating with them.

Briefing journalists on the occasion, Brig Saqib Rasheed Ahmed and DCO Riaz Khan Mehsud said that security forces held jirgas in different areas of the district and asked elders to hand over heavy weapons voluntarily to them.

The people were allowed to keep light weapons for their protection, they added.

They said that residents of Akhgram, Wari, Nihag Darra and different villages of tehsil Wari responded to the call positively and handed over heavy weapons to security forces that included small range artillery, mortar and anti-aircraft guns, heavy machine guns and more than 6,000 rounds of different arms.

Brig Saqib said that they knew that people possessed heavy weapons. It was feared that the arms might fall into the hands of militants, he added.

He said that purpose of the drive was to clear Upper Dir of weapons.

He appreciated people of the district for cooperating with the security forces.

He said that people of Upper Dir always cooperated with Pak Army and government in difficult times.

The DCO said that they were seeing a bright future for the people and development of the district.