Hundreds of Afghan families evicted from Landikotal

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistani security forces have evicted more than 300 unregistered Afghan families from their houses in Landikotal near the Torkham border, officials said on Tuesday.

Dozens of houses were razed by paramilitary troops during a clean-up operation in the Bacha Maina area of the dusty border town -- home to many illegal Afghan families.

The demolition-eviction campaign, involving heavy machinery, came after a deadline given by the political administration ran out on Monday, Khasadar Force official Nadeem Afridi told Pajhwok Afghan News.

At least 30 mud houses were pulled down amid tight security measures in Gianray and Bacha Mina areas. Hundreds of security persoel took positions on nearby hilltops, he said.

Nearly 320 unregistered Afghan families had been living unlawfully in in the areas for decades, area administrator ShakeelUmarzaitold reporters. He said they had issued several notices to the Afghans to leave Pakistan and vacate houses.

The drive would continue till all houses owned by the Afghans were razed, waed the official, as the affected families deplored what they called abrupt action. Their requests for an extension in the deadline were ignored.

A total of 318 households, including 826 individuals, were residing in a Bacha Maina. Some of the expelled families shifted to the border town of Landikotal instead of being deported to Afghanistan.

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