LANDI KOTAL, May 20: A man was injured in a crossfire between law-enforcement agencies and Watankhel tribesmen in Bara, Khyber Agency, on Tuesday when the political authorities raided a house to arrest a kidnapper.

Dr Wilayat Shah and his family members had made Naib Tehsildar Roshan Khan Mehsood along with ten members of Khasadar force hostage on Monday at Tharkhu Kas in Jarhobi area of Tirah Valley in retaliation to the arrest of his family members by the Bara political administration. The hostage were later released on late Monday night.

Sources in Bara told Dawn that Wilayat Shah had some times back kidnapped a family member of the former tribal senator, Mohammad Shah, over a monetary dispute. The Bara administration upon the appeal of former senator, arrested ten members of Wilayat Shah’s family.

Enraged by the arrest of family members, the doctor made the officials hostage while they were returning from Jarhobi after attending a Jirga. He demanded the release of his family members, but later released the officials under pressure from tribal elders.

The Bara political administration with the help of Mehsood Scouts on Tuesday morning raided the doctor’s house at Pakha Tharha in Bar Qambarkhel area. Sensing the danger, armed Watankhel tribesmen opened fire. During the crossfire a Watankhel tribesman was seriously injured.

Upon the intervention of local elders a ceasefire was announced till Wednesday and the authorities withdrew the forces. The administration, however arrested some 15 tribesmen for their support to Wilayat Shah.