MIRAMSHAH, May 31: A group of tribal elders and ulema strongly opposed here on Tuesday any military operation in North Waziristan Agency, saying the region was comparatively peaceful and the government writ prevailed there.

They alleged at a press conference that some media organisations were airing baseless and concocted news about the situation in North Waziristan as if to provoke unwarranted military action.

One of the elders, Maulvi Gul Ramzan, said that the media reports had triggered uncertainty in the area. Overall, the situation in the agency was normal, he said, pointing out that army had withdrawn from several checkposts and the Razmak Cadet College has reopened after remaining closed for two years.

Similarly, educational institutions, hospitals and offices were functioning smoothly which indicated that normalcy prevailed in the area. He said the security forces had abolished unnecessary checkpoints, which was a good omen for the local population.

Maulvi Ramzan said that Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani had recently visited North Waziristan and performed groundbreaking ceremony of Bannu-Ghulam Khan Road, which would cost Rs5 billion. He said that peace jirga comprising elders was working for resolving local issues and there was no need of any military operation.