April 5, 2003	Saturday	Safar 2, 1424

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MOHMAND AGENCY, April 4: At least one law enforcer died and three sustained injuries when security forces clashed with poppy growers in the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas, officials said.

They said that the tribesmen opened fire on the operation team comprising Mohmand Rifles and Khasadar Force in Doezai area of the Pendiali tehsil during the Tuesday pre-dawn anti-poppy drive. As a result of the firing a Mohmand Rifles’ constable, Anwar Ali Afridi, died while three others sustained injuries who were rushed to a local hospital.

Sources said that three vehicles and an ambulance were also damaged during the clash while situation was remained tense in the area.

Witnesses said Mohmand Rifles and Khasadar Force were pounding the position of armed tribesmen with heavy weapons who had entrenched themselves on hilltops.

The political agent of Mohmand Agency, Sahibzada Mohammad Anees, told reporters that the administration in collaboration with tribal elders launched the anti-poppy operation in some areas of the agency.

However, he said, growers in Doezai, some 40 kilometres from Ghalani, the agency headquarters, refused to destroy poppy crop, following which the administration moved security forces to the area.

He said that the tribesmen resorted to firing on Tuesday morning and attacked the law enforcement agencies with heavy weapons.

He confirmed that one law enforcer was killed while three men, whose identities could not be confirmed, received injuries.