28 November 2004	Sunday	15 Shawwal 1425

LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), Nov 27: Three persons, including a criminal, were killed in a shoot-out during a jirga session in Bara on Saturday.

The Malikdeenkhel jirga was in session at Kohi Chowk to decide a monetary dispute between a notorious criminal, Mujahid, and representatives of the Daulatkhel sub-tribe.

Elders of Daulatkhel tribe had earlier made a commitment with Mujahid that they would pay Rs400,000 as ransom money for the release of one Said Ali, kidnapped by his group.

Mujahid and his accomplices developed some differences with Daulatkhel elders over the mode of payment and started crossfire. An elder of the Daulatkhel tribe, Subedar Shan Akbar, his nephew, Baz Mir, and Mujahid died on the spot.

Mujahid, who was wanted in a number of criminal cases to the Bara authorities and Peshawar police, had recently surrendered to the Bara peace committee and had reportedly given an assurance of good conduct.

ANTI-MALARIA DRIVE: The health authorities in Khyber Agency have begun a six-day anti-malaria campaign in all the three tehsils of the agency on Saturday.

Two days each were assigned to Landi Kotal, Jamrud and Bara tehsil during which a vehicle mounted with ULV fog generator would spray anti-malarial chemicals in the area.

Giving details of the campaign, agency Surgeon Dr Azeem Afridi said the mobile ULV fog generator method would be used. He said the spray would be effective in a radius of one kilometre for six months.

Earlier, residents of the three tehsils in Khyber Agency had complained to the health authorities concerned that no anti-malaria spray was conducted in their respective areas for the last ten years.

Staff deputed in Khyber Agency for malaria control programme was not fulfilling its duties and allegedly drawing salaries at homes.

The Fata health authorities, while reacting to these complaints, conducted an enquiry and initiated the campaign.