Wahidi calls for operation in Chapa Dara

ASADBAD (PAN‘s Bajaur tribal region.

Wahidi warned if a major operation was not launched at the earliest, the district that borders Paroon, the capital of neighbouring Nuristan province, could fall to the rebels.

He claimed armed insurgents continued to sneak into the town, 40 kilometers northwest of Asadabad, the provincial capital, from Pakistan.

He said rebel activities had increased as the winter receded, adding government officials could not travel on the road between Chapa Dara and Manogi district due to insecurity. He said the Taliban insurgents had threatened families of government officials in the district.

Wahidi believed the Taliban had increased their activities in order to create lawlessness in the area which he said was rich with deposits of precious stones.

The governor asked the Ministry of Defence to launch a widespread operation in the district and establish security posts on the road between Chapa Dara and Manogi.

Residents said they opted to stay indoors due to dramatic increase in rebel activities.

Afghan National Army’s 201st Selab Military Corps spokesman Col. Numan Hatifi said the army launched operations in areas where it was required to do so.

He said military leaders should look into Wahidi’s complaints and come up with plans to drive the rebels from the two districts.

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