LANDI KOTAL, Nov 23: Unidentified gunmen killed a commander of a militant organisation along with his colleague in Bara on Monday, sources said.

They said that Andaz Gul, a commander of Amr Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar group was on his way home from Bara Bazaar along with his friend Nisar Khan when their vehicle was ambushed by unidentified gunmen near Qaziabad in Shalobar area. The two were killed on the spot while an unidentified passer-by received bullet injuries.

In Spin Qabar area, security forces defused an explosive device planted along the roadside. In Jamrud, security forces defused two devices planted by unknown saboteurs near a madrassah.Meanwhile, tribal elders of Landi Kotal pledged to help the local political administration in the maintenance of law and order in the area.

A jirga of Zakhakhel, Shinwari and Shalman elders to this effect was held at the office of Assistant Political Agent Iqbal Khattak on Tuesday. Commandant Khyber Rifles Col Khurshid was also present.

Talking to Dawn, Iqbal Khattak said that the elders of the three major tribes were convened to informally discuss the prevailing situation in Landi Kotal.

“Elders of the tribes agreed to assist the administration in the maintenance of law and order besides refusing refuge to unwanted elements in their respective areas,” he said.

The jirga also decided to continue with the ban on firing in the air, display of weapons in Landi Kotal Bazaar and use of firecrackers on festive occasions.

In Khar, a local militant commander was killed and another was injured in exchange of fire with the security forces in Bajaur tribal region on Tuesday. The security forces also torched three houses of militants and recovered weapons during search operation in Nakhtar area of tehsil Mamond.