GHALANAI, Feb 15: All the displaced families of Mohmand Agency would return to their hometowns by February 28 as security forces have cleared 90 per cent area of militants during the ongoing operation, said Political Agent Amjad Ali Khan.

Briefing journalists in Dab Kor area of tehsil Ambar on Tuesday, he said that security forces with the active support of tribal elders flushed out militants from upper and lower Sagai in tehsil Safi, Dwezai in tehsil Pandyali and several areas of tehsil Ambar.

“Out of eight tehsils of the tribal region, militants are creating disturbance in only two areas,” he said and vowed to smash militant pockets in those areas within next few days.

He said that 120 militants, including seven commanders, were killed and 40 were arrested during the ongoing operation in parts of Mohmand tribal region.

He said that a captain and three soldiers were injured during the military operation.

The political agent said operation would be expanded to Khwezai and Bhaizai areas along the Afghan border to chase fleeing militants.

He said that 20 displaced families returned to their homes in Ghaljo Darra on Tuesday. “All the IDPs will return to their hometowns in phases till Feb 28,” he said.

It is to be mentioned here that about 32,343 IDPs are living in Nahqi camp while 12,056 are registered in Danish Kol camp.

Mr Khan said that peace committee, head by Ali Man Shah and consisting of hundreds of volunteers, was formed to liaise with security forces and political administration in maintaining peace in the region.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Tuesday, Senator Hafiz Rasheed Ahmad demanded lifting of ban on the movement of Mohmand IDPs.

He also demanded of the government to provide adequate facilities to them in the camps. He said that security forces launched operation in Mohmand Agency on Jan 27 without informing residents of the area so that they could shift to safer places.

He alleged that government violated a resolution adopted by the National Assembly to resolve all issues through dialogues and negotiations. A large number of people remained stranded owing to prolonged curfew in the wake of military action as no one was allowed to move, he added.

Mr Ahmad said that shelling and bombardment caused massive destruction in the agency, forcing the residents to leave their homes without collecting valuable items.

He said that women, elderly people and children suffered badly owing to the operation. “More than 0.4 million people have taken refuge in camps according to the data of UNHCR,” he said.

He alleged that the movement of IDPs had been restricted because of which they were facing enormous difficulties in their camps. He said that severe cold added to miseries of the displaced persons and three persons had died in the camps.

He said that IDPs, particularly women and children, were facing numerous problems owing to shortage of facilities in camps.