Tribal youth get anti-mine training

ISLAMABAD:

Youth from three merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, formerly known as FATA, were given certificates after they completed three-month-long anti-mine training held at the Islamabad’s Construction Technology Training Institute (CTTI).

Thousands of unexploded devices and metallic objects lay half-buried in swathes in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan, as the territory was off-limits when the now banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had control over the area before it was cleared by the security forces.

The proscribed TTP and other terrorist groups had placed mines to target security forces when the fighting was on its peak in the tribal belt. After taking control of the region, the Pakistani security forces have launched various anti-mining programmes to clear the area of mines which pose serious risk to humans as well as animals.

In the past, several unsuspecting children and people have been killed or maimed by landmines and other unexploded devices.

A certificate distribution ceremony was also attended by Inspector General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (North) Maj-Gen Noor Wali Khan and Frontier Works Organization Director-General Afzal Muhammad, who distributed certificates among the students after they completed anti-mines training programme.

The CTTI offered the training to the youth of Bajaur, Mohmand and Khyber districts. Around 50 students from the three districts participated in the free-of-cost training commenced on April 1.

The security forces have been offering anti-mine training programmes for the youth of newly merged districts on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The CCTI kicked off three additional training programmes and 150 students have been selected for the new session.