GHALLANAI, June 13: A new militant group in the Mohmand Agency has vowed to hit back at pro-government tribal elders if they continue to cooperate with the political administration.

A bomb went off on Wednesday in the Mian Mandi area where hours earlier a jirga had been held to discuss militants’ growing activities in the agency. A note was found at the site of the explosion, warning the tribesmen against supporting the government or holding jirgas against militants or the Taliban.

The note, addressed to the elders, said: “You people are infidels and hypocrites. If you don’t stop negotiations with the government and meetings against the Taliban, then explosion(s) will occur in your homes.”

On the other hand, tribal elders announced that they would not bow down to the militants and start joint action against such elements.

The tribal elders will organise a jirga in the Haleemzai area on Thursday to work out a joint line of action against the militants.

Elders of Safi, Kandhari and Haleemzai tribes have been invited to the jirga.

Tribal elder Mohammad Ali Safi told Dawn that miscreants could not terrify tribesmen through such cowardice acts and would resolve issues in accordance with tribal codes and traditions.

Sources said that militants who surfaced in the area last Sunday had warned barbers against trimming beards. They also continued their movement in the area.