KHAR: Expressing concern over the growing cross-border attacks, the elders of Mamond tribe on Sunday asked the Afghan government to take concrete steps to stop infiltration of militants from its Kunar province into Pakistani territory.

The tribal elders were addressing a jirga, held here on Sunday a day after militants from the across the border attacked Nawo Top area of the tribal region.

They threatened to target militant hideouts inside Afghanistan if the cross-border attacks continued.

The jirga was attended by tribal elders and heads and members of various village defence committees. They discussed law and order situation in the tribal region, anti-militants activities and the recent cross-border attacks.

The participants of the jirga expressed great concern over cross-border attacks by militants. The Afghan government and people of Kunar province who are our brothers should play their role to stop cross-border attacks as such incidents are against the interests of the people of both the countries,” they said.

They demanded of the Afghan government to take concrete steps to stop movement of militants, based in Kunar province of Afghanistan. “The growing cross-border attacks mean that Afghan government has failed to fulfil its responsibility to stop militants from crossing the border and entering into our area,” they said.

The participants of the jirga threatened that they would target the hideouts of militants inside Afghanistan if such attacks remained continued in future. “We can’t sit silent over militants’ attacks on our land. Such attacks have badly affected peace and normalcy in the region,” the tribal elders said.

They said that members of Mamond tribe were united and had the capability to thwart cross-border attacks. They also lauded security forces for repulsing the Saturday’s attack.

Meanwhile, security forces established more posts in the border areas of Mamond tehisl to prevent cross-border attacks.

An official said that additional troops besides volunteers of peace committees were deployed at the posts, set up in the area.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2014