KHAR: The political administration on Thursday asked the elders of Salarzai tribe to expedite efforts for maintenance of peace and checking activities of militants in Bajaur Agency.

“The administration and security forces have fulfilled their responsibility of restoring peace and writ of the government in the region and now it is the duty of the local tribal elders to fulfill their collective responsibility,” said Bajaur Agency political agent Abdul Jabar Shah while addressing a jirga of the elders of Salarzai tribe at the agency headquarters, Khar.

Besides elders of various sub-tribes, leaders and members of Salarzai peace committees, Bajaur Scouts commandant Col Amir Ali and other officials of the administration and security forces also attended the jirga.

The law and order situation and preparedness for keeping the region free of militants were discussed in the jirga held after the Tuesday’s twin terrorist incidents in Salarzai tehsil that had left six people dead.

The participants expressed grave concern over the growing incidents of militancy in the region.

Speaking on the occasion, the political agent urged the tribal elders and members of peace committees to keep a vigil on activities of miscreants in their areas.

Mr Shah said that militants and miscreants were the enemies of the development and prosperity of the agency who wanted to disturb peace and normalcy in the region.

He called upon the elders to stand shoulder to shoulder with the administration and security forces as support of the tribesmen was essential for durable peace in the region.

He lauded the struggle of tribal elders in maintaining writ of the government and said the local administration was proud of sacrifices rendered by the Salarzai tribesmen against militancy.

Bajaur Scouts commandant said peace had been restored in the agency and no one would be allowed to create law and order situation in the area. On this occasion, the elders of Salarzai tribe said that no one would be allowed to disturb peace in the region.

TWO HURT IN BLAST: Two persons were wounded in a blast in Khar town of Bajaur Agency on Thursday, officials said.

They said that the incident occurred in Khar where two brothers sustained injuries when they were hit by an explosive device planted by miscreants outside the main gate of their house. The injured were identified as Hamzaullah Khan and Bismillah Khan.

After the incident, officials of Bajaur Levies Force started a search operation in the area. The wounded were taken to the AHQ hospital where their condition was stated to be stable.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2014