Islamabad, September 15: Pakistani authorities have sacked 715 personnel of a paramilitary militia in the Khyber tribal region for deserting their posts after receiving threats from the banned Lashkar-e-Islam terror group.
A total of 357 personnel of the Khasadar force were fired on Sunday while another 358 were sacked the day before.
Tariq Hayat Khan, the Political Agent or chief administrator of the semi-autonomous Khyber Agency, has said the process of recruiting new personnel will begin this week.
Observers said the sacking of over 700 personnel would affect the efficacy of the Khasadar force, whose total strength is about 1,300.
The force is currently helping security forces conduct an operation against the Lashkar-e-Islam in the region.
The Khasadar personnel began deserting their posts after Lashkar-e-Islam chief Mangal Bagh Afridi issued a warning that they would be targeted by the militants if they did not quit the force.
In the warning broadcast on his illegal FM channel, Afridi said security personnel who defied the Lashkar-e-Islam s orders would be slain and their houses and properties demolished.
Political Agent Khan said no leniency would be shown to those who refused to return to their posts despite official orders.
The Khasadar force is a disciplined unit and anyone refusing to obey orders will face strict action, he said.
—Agencies