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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army dismissed reports regarding the presence of a large number of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) armed militants in Swat Valley.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that during the past few days, a misperception about the presence of a large number of TTP’s armed members in Swat Valley has been created on social media.
After confirmation on the ground, it added, the reports have been found as “grossly exaggerated and misleading”.
“Presence of small number of armed men on few mountain tops between Swat and Dir has been observed, located far away from population,” it added.
The ISPR said that apparently, these individuals sneaked in from Afghanistan to resettle in their native areas. “A close watch is being maintained on their limited presence and movement in mountains.”
The statement further said that required measures are in place by all law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) for the safety and security of people of adjoining areas. “Presence of militants anywhere will not be tolerated and they will be dealt with full use of force if required,” it further said.
Amid constant speculations regarding the heavy presence of militants in the Swat Valley, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police had also earlier clarified that it is aware of the videos circulating on social media.
KP Police Central Office, in a press release issued Thursday, said that police are also aware of the apprehensions of the general public that Swat may return to the 2008-09 era when militants ruled the valley with their version of Shariah.
Assuring the public that the police are fully cognizant of the fact that some individuals from Swat previously living in Afghanistan were present in far-flung mountainous areas of Swat, it said that the valley is “totally under the control” of civil administration and all law enforcing agencies are ready to respond to any incident.
