October 05, 2008	Sunday	Shawwal 05, 1429

KHAR, Oct 4: Three pro-Taliban militants were killed during clashes with an armed lashkar in Salarzai area of Bajaur tribal region on Saturday.

Sources said that volunteers of the Salarzai tribe also set on fire eight houses of the pro-Taliban elements in the area. Heavy weapons were used in the clashes.

The militants were still holding positions in some areas of Salarzai, but state writ had been restored in major parts of the region.

Clashes erupted when the militants attacked the volunteers who were destroying houses of the suspected militants.

Meanwhile, elders of Mamond, the largest tribe in Bajaur, have decided to raise a lashkar to drive out militants from their areas.

A grand jirga was held in Khar on Saturday which was attended by elders of all sub-clans of the Mamond tribe.

It was decided that the militants and their supporters would be attacked on Sunday.

The jirga met political agent Shafeerullah Khan and security officials and sought three days for organising the lashkar and launching campaign against militants.

Officials said that the elders requested the administration to delay military action in the area for three days to enable the tribe to organise the lashkar.

Security forces also pounded suspected positions of the militants in different parts of Bajaur but no casualty was reported.

Residents said that security forces had slowed down operation against militants after receiving request from the Mamond tribe.