LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), June 12: Authorities in Bara on Monday dynamited a multi-storey plaza and arrested at least 24 Zakhakhel tribesmen during an operation against activists of Lashkar-i-Islam.

The four-storey building owned by Haji Mangal Bagh came down crashing after two powerful explosives were detonated at mid-day.

The shopkeepers were earlier issued notices to remove their belongings from the plaza. The plaza was situated in the centre of the Bara market.

No immediate reaction has so far come from the Lashkar men. However, in a radio broadcast on his FM station, Mangal Bagh said on Sunday night that he had no enmity with the security forces but pledged to continue with his plan for the formation of a peace committee for Bara.

Bara Bazaar and its surroundings were still under siege from the Khasadar force and personnel of the Mehsood Scouts for the third day running. Para-military forces could also be seen patrolling on all the roads leading to Bara.

The situation, however, remained calm as most Bara residents preferred to remain indoors.

In Landi Kotal, the local administration arrested at least 27 supporters of the Lashkar-i-Islam and impounded eight vehicles of Zakhakhel tribesmen.

Assistant Political Agent Landi Kotal Riaz Mahsood told Dawn that the arrested men included those who provided protection to Mangal Bagh and his armed band in the Gogrina village.

He said that more arrests would be made in coming days and those who were responsible for disturbing the peace would not be spared.

It was also learnt that the administration has issued warrants of a number of influential Bara businessmen for their alleged financial support to the Lashkar-i-Islam.

The Khasadar force also conducted raids in the Karkhano market in Peshawar for arresting some Sipah tribesmen.