MANSEHRA, May 25 A jirga of the Battagram district's Allai tehsil on Monday declared to use force against militants if they tried to infiltrate their areas.

“We, too, are the soldiers of our motherland and if militants tried to enter our territory we will teach them a lesson and they will never be allowed to disturb the peaceful environment of the area,” said an elder at the jirga held in the wake of possible infiltration of fleeing militants from the restive neighbouring areas.

The elders who attended the jirga included Akbar Namos Khan, Maulana Ghulam Rasool and Maulana Amir Mohammad.

The jirga demanded that the government should establish two checkposts along the River Indus, which linked Shangla with Allai and Mara through chairlifts.

The jirga members said anybody who provided shelter to militants or supported them would not only be expelled from the tehsil forever, but would also be fined and his house would be set on fire.

They expressed satisfaction that so far militants had not attempted to enter their area, saying “We hope militants will respect the decree of the jirga as a clear message for them as no body is going to welcome them here.”

They said every matter in the area was settled in accordance with local tradition and custom and that was why there was a complete peace and harmony among all the tribes in the region.

The jirga assured support to security forces and police in the fight against militancy and terrorism.