Military operation likely in Pak's tribal areas

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has started deploying troops in North West Frontier Province's southern districts, adjoining the Waziristan region, amid reports that an operation to curb militancy and extremism was imminent.

Nearly 12,000 troops, backed by artillery units, were moved to Tank and Dera Ismail Khan districts from Okara, the 'Dawn' reported on Friday.

The troops took control over the building of a vocational college in Tank city and were stationed in paramilitary forts in the remote district.

Security forces were also deployed in Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts, considered to be the hotbed of militancy, besides northern Swat and Lower Dir districts.

Two army divisions have been deployed in the North West Frontier Province and tribal areas, the newspaper quoted security officials as saying.

Meanwhile, local Taliban have expressed resentment over the deployment of troops in North Waziristan and threatened to violate the peace agreement if the government did not pull back security forces by July 15.

Security forces, however, reinforced their positions around Miramshah town, headquarters of North Waziristan Agency, and checking vehicles looking for arms.