Militants set on fire two schools in Lower Dir

TIMERGARA: Militants set on fire two government schools in the Kad area of Maidan tehsil in Lower Dir on Tuesday.Officials told Dawn that the buildings of the primary and middle schools for girls were badly damaged.Sources said that the buildings were empty. Their watchmen had fled because of clashes between security forces and militants in the area.The incident took place at a time when Peshawar’s Corps Commander Lt-Gen Aslam was visiting the district for the first time after a military operation was launched in the area on April 26. Meanwhile, troops blew up houses of two militants, Iqraruddin and Kifayatullah, in Gojar Koto area of Maidan and official sources said that a search operation was under way in several parts of Maidan. The sources told this correspondent that troops were advancing towards Soripao, a stronghold of militants, with tanks and heavy equipment. During his visit to the district, corps commander Gen Aslam was briefed on the progress of the operation.