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'No Al Qaeda presence in border areas'
The political authorities of Mohmand Agency have ruled out the presence of Al Qaeda suspects in border areas.
| "Nope. Nope. None there. We asked." |
Speaking at a press conference here on Friday political agent of Mohmand Agency Sahibzada Mohammad Anis said that there was no sign of Al Qaeda network in the area. He said that the army had been deployed along the Afghan border to curb the incursions of anti-state elements. He denied the reports that Pakistani forces had intruded into the neighbouring territory and said that the army had not violated international rules. He said that some elements from the other side of the border were trying to resist the movement of Pakistan army in the remote area of Anargai. Mr Anis said that Pakistan had no dispute with Afghanistan and Islamabad wanted to further cement its ties with the neighbouring country. Replying to a question about the deployment of troops along the Durand Line he said the government had moved regular forces into the area due to the prevailing situation in the region. Now the situation was under control in the border areas, he added. Mr Anis said that a commission had been constituted to resolve territorial issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said the NWFP governor had announced a special package to provide all basic facilities including health, education and communications to the inaccessible areas of the agency.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-07-19 |
