March 23, 2007	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 3, 1428

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LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), March 22: The Khyber Agency political administration is flexing its muscles for a final showdown with the Lashkar-i-Islam after the expiry of the deadline for a ceasefire in the Tirah valley.

A jirga of tribal elders had set March 22 as the deadline for both Lashkar-i-Islam and Ansarul Islam to announce unconditional ceasefire.

Official sources said that while the representatives of Ansarul Islam had assured the administration of its support in restoration of peace, no one from Lashkar-i-Islam has turned up for a similar assurance.

Bara Assistant Political Agent Attaur Rehman Aurakzai told Dawn that the jirga would submit its ‘findings’ on Friday and the government would decide its course of action in light of the report.

NWFP Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai had on Feb 24 warned of using ‘other options’, if the jirga failed to resolve the Tirah conflict through negotiations.

The APA said it was time that the government took action to establish the rule of law. He said the administration could no longer afford to leave innocent people at the mercy of a few ‘outlaws’.

He said the administration was left with no other option but to use force against those responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation.

Sources in Bara said several families had left their homes in Arjali Nadi and Shalobar areas for fear of an imminent crackdown by the government agencies.

It was learnt that Lashkar men had increased patrolling of Bara roads.

The local administration has failed to trace Malikdi Khel elder Malik Duran Gul, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen from Nala on Tuesday. Nala is considered a strong hold of Lashkar-i-Islam.