TIMERGARA, Jan 29: A jirga comprising elders of Dir Lower has assured the authorities of cooperation in containing terrorist activities in the area.

Besides notables of the area, leaders of different political parties and elected representatives of the local government also attended the jirga.

The participants of the meeting discussed the prevailing law and order situation in the area and condemned the attack on a security checkpost by miscreants on Sunday. They were of the view that Dir was peaceful but some hidden elements wanted to disturb its atmosphere and plunge it into darkness.

They opposed military operation in the area and said that the local police were capable to cope with the problem. The jirga decided to activate the peace committees already formed at the union council level. The people themselves will keep an eye on subversive activities, it added.

Some speakers demanded the release of TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad. The jirga members told the administration that no suspected militant would be provided shelter in the district. Independent candidate for NA-34 Shamsul Qamar, JUI district amir Maulana Zahid Khan, JI former MPA Muzafar Sayed, Khurshid Khan and district naib nazim Zahir Shah addressed the jirga.