KHAR: The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the killing of Malik Said Agha Jan, a member of the peace committee in Bajaur Agency who was targeted by armed men on Thursday.

Talking to reporters on phone from an unspecified location here on Friday, TTP spokesman Mohammad Khorasani said Malik Said Agha Jan was on their hit list because of his support of the government against Taliban.

He said they would continue to attack the tribal elders who motivated people against the Taliban.

“We have list of all the local committees’ members who are motivating the local people to fight against Taliban and we will target them one by one,” said Khorasani.

MOTORCYCLISTS ARRESTED: The political administration has taken dozens of tribesmen into custody for violating a ban on motorcycle riding in the region, officials and residents told Dawn on Friday.

They said at least 100 motorcyclists had been arrested while a number of bikes impounded during a crackdown in different trade centres and public places.

The residents said most of the arrested motorcyclists belonged to poor families and were low class government employees.

Eyewitness said the motorcyclists were busy in shopping when the Levies officials bundled them away along with their motorbikes. The local administration confirmed the action against the motorcyclists in the agency.

An official told Dawn the action was part of a strategy to ensure peace in the agency during Ramazan.

PROFITEERS ARRESTED: The local authorities arrested several traders for creating artificial price hike in the region during Ramazan.

Talking to reporters the other day, assistant political agent Suhail Ahemd Khan said a number of traders had been arrested during a crackdown in various parts of the agency for profiteering.

At least 60 shopkeepers, including ice sellers, fruit and vegetable dealers, have been arrested during the crackdown in Khar, Inayat Killi, Sadiq Abad, Nawagai and other main bazaars of agency,” he added.

He said the action had been carried out on the advice of price control committee in view of the growing public complaints about profiteering in Ramazan.

The official said no one would be allowed to create artificial price hike in the fasting month. — Correspondent

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2015

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