KHAR: Elders and peace volunteers of Mamond tribe in Bajaur Agency have announced they will continue fi ghting militants to restore peace in the region.

The announcement was made during a meeting here on Friday, where tribal elders and volunteers of Mamond Qaumi Lashkar were in attendance in large numbers.

The participants discussed law and order situation, especially activities of miscreants and performance of village defence committees and qaumi lashkar.

They expressed concern over the growing incidents of militancy in the region and called for the introduction of a new strategy to check them.

The elders said tribesmen were committed to defeating militants for peace in the region.

They said miscreants wanted to create a law and order situation to terrorise the people but tribesmen were alert to the threat and would foil such plans.

The participants expressed satisfaction with the performance of peace committees and qaumi lashkar and said by and large, security situation in the region, especially on border areas, had normalised though there were some incidents of terrorism.

They agreed to accelerate anti-militant activities and extend them to border areas and announced tribesmen would continue crack down on those supporting and sheltering militants.

The participants said supporters of militants would be punished in line with tribal traditions and that their houses and property would be burnt.

The elders and peace volunteers pledged that they would ensure unity among them to eliminate militants from the region.

They also announced the continued support for security forces against miscreants.

Later, peace volunteers brandishing arms and shouting slogans in favour of Pakistan and security forces marched in Inayat Killi Bazaar, the largest marketplace in Bajaur Agency.

BODY FOUND: A man’s bullet-riddled body was found near Badi Samoor village of Khar tehsil on Friday morning.

The slain man was identifi ed as Jan Mohammad, 47, a local social worker.

Villagers said though Jan Mohammad had no enmity, he was against militants and had survived several attempts on life over the years.

Local administration officials said an inquiry had been launched to know about killer(s) for action.

Published in Dawn, October 25th , 2014