July 17, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 13, 1429

KOHAT, July 16: An Anti-Terrorism Court sent 13 militants, arrested in Hangu, to district prison on Wednesday.The militants, including an alleged deputy of Baitullah Mehsud, were presented before ATC Judge Mohammad Ayub, who sent them to district jail amid tight security.

Police had arrested on Wednesday last seven militants on Hangu Thall road. The incident sparked clashes in the area. One of the detained militant identified as Rafiuddin is considered a deputy of Baitullah Mehsud.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has been demanding release of three militants since then and has warned to kill 29 hostages in their custody.

The militants had laid siege to a police station in Doaba after the government refused to release the detained militants. Later, 15 FC personnel were killed when a convoy was attacked in the Zargari area on Saturday.

TRIBAL LASHKAR: The people of Dalan and Naryab formed armed force of 300 men to protect their area from Taliban. The elders have banned entry of vehicles without number plate and suspicious people in the area and announced to extend support to the army.

Sources said that nobody turned up at the relief camps set up in Hangu city and Bagato as people were reluctant to leave their homes, livestock and fields at the mercy of army and Taliban. Most of the people however took shelter with their relatives in other safe parts of Hangu district.

Meanwhile, the peace jirga headed by MNA Pir Haider Ali Shah could not convince the provincial government to withdraw army from Hangu and pave the way for initiating peace talks with the militants.

The jirga held meeting Awami National Party provincial president Afrasiab Khattak and NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani. According to sources jirga members are now waiting for a meeting with the chief minister to seek his assistance in the withdrawal of security forces from the area.

The local administration showed its inability to be of any help to the jirga in stopping the operation after which the jirga elders decided to meet the chief secretary and the chief minister and request him to order withdrawal of troops from the area.

They were still waiting in Peshawar to hold meeting with chief minister till filing of this report.