ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army has intensified large-scale demining operations across the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to neutralize thousands of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines planted by Khawarij.
As per details, the khawarij had extensively mined roads, paths and villages in the former FATA region to disrupt military movements and spread terror.
After successful counter-terrorism operations cleared these areas of militants, the Army launched comprehensive demining drives to make the region safe for returning civilians.
So far mines have been detected in a total of 114 square kilometres in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Thanks to the professional expertise and tireless efforts of Pakistan Army troops, 82 square kilometres have already been completely cleared and declared safe.
Demining work continues round-the-clock in the remaining areas.
These highly dangerous operations have come at a heavy cost: five brave soldiers of the Pakistan Army have been martyred, while 115 others have lost limbs or suffered serious injuries while manually detecting and defusing explosives.
The primary objective of the clearance drive is to protect local residents, especially children and youth, from deadly accidents. In many cases, unaware civilians, particularly youngsters, have lost their lives or limbs after tampering with unexploded ordnance mistaken for toys or scrap metal.
As recently as 26 November, two young men were killed in Janat Shah village of Khar tehsil, Bajaur district, when an abandoned Khawarij IED exploded. Similar tragic incidents have previously occurred in Bajaur, Lakki Marwat and several other districts.
Security forces have urged the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid unmarked paths in areas that are yet to be fully cleared, stressing that collective vigilance is essential to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
Also read: Security Forces Gunned Down 22 Khawarij in Kurram IBO
