Masked Afghan militants infiltrate into Chitral again

CHITRAL: A group of 15 masked militants infiltrated Arandu tehsil of Chitral district from Kunar province of Afghanistan late Wednesday and blocked the road for hours, police sources said.

Sources said the militants blocked the Drosh-Arandu road in Jashtangar, eight kilometres off the Mikhani post of Chitral Scouts. The militants also forced a local, identified as Ameer, to arrange

foodstuff for them, which he refused. Resultantly, the militants took him hostage and disappeared into the mountains. The incident created a sense of insecurity in the area.

Meanwhile, local sources said that Nato jetfighters were seen flying over Arandu tehsil while Pakistan’s security forces had sealed the road linking Arandu tehsil with Kunar province of Afghanistan.

Hundreds of Afghan-based militants killed more than two dozen paramilitary soldiers and cops in multiple coordinated attacks on checkposts in the district on August 27. Militants also abducted two Chitral Scouts soldiers and no word on the fate and whereabouts of the abducted soldiers has so far been received.

Security officials claim that a significant number of militants are hiding in Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan and launch attacks on security forces and civilians in Pakistan.

Posted in: Chitral