October 30, 2008	Thursday	Shawwal 30, 1429

KHAR, Oct 29: A number of militant commanders in Bajaur expressed willingness on Wednesday to unconditionally lay down arms and stop attacks on government personnel and installations.

It is learnt that the commanders, who attended a jirga of Barmakazai and Oryazai tribes of Mamond tehsil, agreed to surrender and give an undertaking to the political authorities about their good conduct.

Prominent elders of the two tribes, including Malik Manjfar Khan, Malik Fazal Mabood, Malik Gul Mahmood, Malik Saeedur Rehman, Malik Ghaffar Khan and Malik Shah Tehmas Khan, attended the jirga held at Kas Krewand.

The commanders assured the jirga that they would stop carrying arms, patrolling in vehicles and using motorcycles. They also promised not to resist security forces entering the area.

The jirga decided that any tribesman found sheltering foreigners would be fined Rs1 million, his house would be burned to the ground and his property would be confiscated.

The elders observed that thousands of families had left their homes because of militants’ attacks and military operation.

The jirga said that security forces were bound to enter the Mamond area and people would suffer if they faced any resistance.

Malik Shah Tehmas told journalists that the jirga was satisfied with the assurances given by the militants.

Assistant political agent Nawagai Mohammad Jamil Khan also confirmed assurances given the militant commanders at the jirga.

The elders would meet the political authorities in Khar on Thursday and inform them about their talks with the militants.