Kayani visits Pak restive tribal belt

Military operations in Pakistan’s tribal belt and nearby areas have helped curtail acts of terrorism, army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said during a visit to militancy-affected areas near the Afghan border.

Military operations in Pakistan’s tribal belt and nearby areas have helped curtail acts of terrorism, army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said during a visit to militancy-affected areas near the Afghan border.

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Kayani, who visited Wana in South Waziristan tribal region and Tank district in North West Frontier Province on Wednesday to interact with troops during the Eid holidays, said the security forces had been able bring about a "marked decrease" in terrorist activities.

Strict security arrangements were made in the region for the army chief’s visit. Local residents were confined to their homes and all streets and markets in Wana wore a deserted look after an unannounced curfew was imposed by military authorities. Military helicopters hovered over the region through the day.

Kayani visited field formations in the tribal belt and Dera Ismail Khan. He met senior field commanders and freely mixed with junior officers, JCOs, NCOs and soldiers. He appreciated the initiative of field military commanders to distribute special Eid packages and over 12,000 tonnes of army rations to the local residents.

He also gave away gallantry medals to two soldiers for bravery displayed during the ongoing operations against militants.