May 19, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1429

KHAR, May 18: Militants occupied the house of MNA Shaukatullah Khan in Nawagai area of the Bajaur tribal region on Sunday and held members of his family hostage for several hours.

Mr Khan was away when about 40 militants besieged the house.

The incident triggered panic in the area and the political administration sent elders to resolve the issue.

Sources said the militants ended their occupation on condition that the MNA would support their cause and hand over the marble mines in the area to a local tribe.

Militants’ spokesman Maulvi Umar, however, said the incident had been caused by a misunderstanding between his associates and the parliamentarian’s family.

Meanwhile, security forces have blocked the main road between Mohmand and Bajaur tribal regions.