RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army on Saturday dismissed reports regarding the presence of a large number of banned Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) armed members in Swat Valley.
The military’s media wing the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement on Saturday: “During the past few days, a misperception about the alleged presence of large number of proscribed organisation 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.
