LANDI KOTAL: Security forces have cleared almost 90 per cent area of the Rajgal Valley adjacent to Afghanistan`s troubled Nangarhar province and troops have taken effective control of important heights, says the InterServices Public Relations (ISPR).

According to a statement issued by the ISPR, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa who visited the area on Saturday was informed that almost 90 per cent of the area which was under the control of various militant groups had been successfully cleared and that troops had secured some strategic heights overlooking the Afghan border.Field commanders briefed Gen Bajwa on the progress made in the Khyber-IV operation. He was informed about the number of militants killed or captured during the operation and that most of militants had fled to Afghanistan.

`On completion of this operation, Khyber Agency would be free of terrorists` influence thereby providing environment for return of Temporarily Dislocated Persons and development prong to proceed,` the ISPR statement quoted Gen Bajwa as saying.

Peshawar Corps Commander Lieutenant General Nazir Ahmed Butt and Inspector General of the Frontier Corps Major General Shaheen Mazhar Mehmood were present on the occasion.

Security forces had launched the operation on July 16 to clear 250 square kilometres of the Rajgal Valley of militants belonging to various groups, including militant Islamic State (IS) group. The IS has held sway over a vast swathe of land in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

Officials said that over 1,500 dislocated families would be repatriated to the valley after getting security clearance from the army. The areawas the last hideout of militants in Khyber Agency.

Gen Bajwa met soldiers taking part in the of fensive and appreciated their professionalism. He also appreciated the support of the Pakistan Air Force in skilful targeting of terrorists` strongholds which helped in minimising casualties of soldiers.Sources said that security forces, including personnel of Special Services Group, backed by heavy artillery and air force took control of Kandu Gharebai, Sattar Kalay and Speena Norga hilltops from the Kurram Agency side. They also established their trenches and security posts atop Brekh Muhammad Kandaw, Sattu Kandawand Thora Teega. Elite SSG personnel were engaged in the operation because of the rough and tough terrain of Rajgal.

They said with effective control of Brekh Muhammad Kandaw and Thora Teega, security forces had plugged the entry of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistani territory.

The sources said that militants had been secretly using Kandu Gharebai and Sattar Kalay routes while crossing the border from Speena Morga height from the Kurram Agency side.

The ISPR statement said that while talking to ofhcers and troops on the occasion, the army chief thanked Allah for His blessings which enabled the Pakistan Army to come up to the expectations of the nation in achievements against terrorism and militancy in the country.

He said with full backing of the nation `we are heading towards a normalised Pakistan where writ of the state and supremacy of the law would be second to none and where all Pakistanis whether in cities, tribal or far flung areas will be able to play their positive and rightful role in the progress of the country`.