April 19, 2007	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 01, 1428

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LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), April 18: Activists of Lashkar-i-Islam on Wednesday vacated one of their centres in Kohi-Malikdin Khel after they received a notice that was sent by the local political administration, sources said.

Officials said that the Kohi centre of Lashkar-i-Islam was used for unlawful activities, which was why it was vacated. The political administration had earlier taken control of the Ansaarul Islam Centre in Arjali Nadi and the Nala centre of Lashkar-i-Islam.

Authorities have also increased patrolling of Khasadar and Mehsood Scouts on various routes and deployed them at central points. Official sources said that the action was necessitated after extortion of money by Lashkar activists from their opponents. Sources in Bara informed that the self-proclaimed amir of Lashkar-i-Islam, Mangal Bagh, imposed a fine of Rs 3 million on Bara MNA Maulana Khalil-ur Rehman for his alleged involvement in anti-Lashkar activities. A brother of the MNA, Haji Surat Khan confirmed the penalty imposed on them.

Lashkar activists also received Rs 5 lacs from a former state minister and MNA Malik Waris Khan. The former MNA was also "found guilty" of conspiring against Lashkar-i-Islam.

A Lashkar-i-Islam representative, Misri Khan, confirmed that the fines had been received from two influential elders.

He said that his organisation incurred loses against its rival Ansaar ul Islam and the fines were imposed as compensation for their losses.

Meanwhile, the Ansaar ul Islam has also fortified its position in Tirah and have asked all its opponents to surrender. Ezzat Khan, a leader of Ansaar, told a gathering in Tirah that all their opponents should either surrender or leave the area.

He said that his organisation would cleanse the area of all outlaws and accused his opponents of harbouring anti-social elements in Bara in Tirah.