Zhob tribal elders assure govt of cooperation
QUETTA, March 29: Leaders of tribes living in the Zhob district along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan have assured the government to cooperate in arresting terrorists and foreigners in their respective areas.
"We will never allow any terrorist or foreign element to step on our soil", Malik Baz Mohammad, tribal leader of the Sulemankhel tribe assured the Corps Commander Quetta Lt-Gen Shahid Hamid after he visited forward posts, where army troops and Frontier Corps, Balochistan, were deployed.
Pakistan has deployed its troops and paramilitary forces along with the border as well as the inter-provincial boundary to stop the infiltration of terrorists and foreign elements from Afghanistan and South Waziristan.
"Troops are vigilant along the Zhob-Wana inter-provincial border to avoid any untoward situation," officials in Zhob told this correspondent on Monday, adding that army troops and paramilitary personnel were continuously patrolling the area.
Areas where troops have been deployed, included Hussain Nika, Nim Parao, Gul Kach, Kajuri Kach, and the formidable mountainous terrain on the border of the Zhob district.
Officials of the Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed here that the Corps Commander, Quetta, visited the border areas on Sunday besides meeting various tribal elders during his stay at the forward areas.
Tribesmen assured the corps commander that they would not allow any terrorist to cross over into their area from Wana and across the border from Afghanistan.
"There is no terrorist (in our area and) if anyone tried to cross over to the Zhob area, he will be handed over to the army," Malik Nanjibullah Kahn Kakar said. The corps commander thanked tribal elders for extending assurances in this regard.
The government has tightened security along the Zhob-Wana border after receiving information that terrorists fleeing the Wana area would try to enter the Zhob area.