May 23, 2007	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 06, 1428

LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), May 22: Two Lashkar-i-Islam supporters were killed and three others were injured when activists of Ansaar ul Islam attacked a mosque with mortar shell in the Shah Kot area of Bara tehsil on Tuesday.

The Akkakhel mosque commonly known as Dars Jumaat was occupied by Lashkar-i-Islam on Monday after a tactical withdrawal by their opponents from the Shah Kot area.

The Ansaar activists later regrouped in Sanda Pal and launched the attack at the Akkakhel mosque and its adjoining area with heavy weapons, using mortars and RP-35 shells.

The attack was launched from a nearby hillock Mundi Ghar and lasted for nearly six hours.

At least six cabins were also partially damaged in the mortar attack.

Sources in Bara said that the Lashkar supporters had arranged a feast at the mosque at the time of attack to celebrate its control over the area.

Mualana Mustamin, a leader of Ansaar ul Islam told Dawn that a pre-attack warning was issued to residents of the area and they were asked to vacate the vicinity to avoid casualties.

Maulana Mustamin said that they were able to push their opponents back to Shadal.

He also claimed of regaining control of Amir Khwalai and Shah Kot which they lost to Lashkar on Monday.