PESHAWAR: With military officials stating that security forces have taken control of Bajaur agency, an announcement was made by the Frontier Corps commander that an operation was about to be launched in the Orakzai tribal region and the Tirah valley to quash militant hideouts.

FC commander Major General Tariq Khan said security forces were going to launch operations in Orakzai and Tirah very soon.

Militants have been increasingly active in both areas. Recently, militants beheaded a kidnapped Sikh in the Khyber agency’s Tirah valley after his relatives failed to pay ransom.

The Orakzai tribal region, meanwhile, is known as the stronghold of Taliban commander Noor Jamal alias Toofan Mullah who has allegedly been declared as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan’s caretaker chief.

Details regarding the impending operation are still emerging. — DawnNews