Tribesmen claim clearing Bajaur Agency of militants

Khar, Oct 8 : The Salarzai tribe in Bajaur Agency, which had resolved at a jirga last week not to allow "foreigners" to enter the area, has claimed that their area had been cleared of militants and that now it was for the Pakistan government to re-establish its writ and deploy more security forces.

Tribal elders and Ulema attended the jirga which also decided that the Salarzai lashkar would continue its campaign against militants. Teams comprising 200 armed volunteers were set up for night patrolling in the main areas of Salarzai, including Upper Madak, Lower Madak, Upper Sadin and Lower Sadin.

Tribal elder Malik Habibullah Khan said that most of the areas had been cleared of militants and their supporters and some elements, who were still in Banda, would soon be eliminated.

"The administration should now deploy the Levies and paramilitary personnel to set up checkposts," the Dawn quoted him as saying.

The jirga declared that the militants were "enemies" of the people of Bajaur and the country and they would not be allowed to resume their activities. "Anyone being in contact or having social interaction with the militants will be considered enemy of the Salarzai tribesmen. He will be fined Rs1 million and will be expelled from the area," decided the tribesmen jirga.

ANI