August 17, 2007	Friday	Sha’aban 3, 1428

DARRA ADAMKHEL/KOHAT, Aug 16: Authorities on Thursday extended the deadline for a crackdown against criminals in the Akhorwal and Zarghun Khel areas of Darra Adamkhel after tribal elders promised that at least six wanted offenders would be handed over to them by Sunday.

Officials said a heavy Frontier Constabulary contingent had already been stationed at Spina Thana, while the Khasadar Force personnel were also on the ready.

According to sources, the assistant political agent along with other officials and a Khasadar contingent had gone to the area to demolish the outlaws’ houses on Thursday.

Under tribal traditions, the Akhorwal tribe handed over two tribesmen for each of the criminals and promised to hand them over by Sunday.

The criminals include Sakhi Badshah (who escaped from a lock-up last year), Iqbal, Jan Mohammad (alias Janay), Zar Mohammad, Sharif (who lost one leg), and Jan Mast. Four of the accused surrendered to the authorities in the presence of tribal elders.

Meanwhile, negotiations are still going on in the Zarghun Khel area between the officials and the Maliks. Many of the criminals belong to Mullano Kalay. Three of them were identified as Bahadar Khan, Asghar and Azmat, while the names of five others could not be ascertained.

An official told Dawn that the government was determined to arrest the outlaws hiding in Darra Adam Khel and could go to “any extent” to achieve its goals. He said if the criminals did not surrender by Sunday, they would face a grim situation.