GHALANAI: A mosque in Payee Khan village of Ambar tehsil, which was destroyed in a suicide bombing in September 2016, was handed over to the tribesmen after its reconstruction here on Saturday.

At least 36 people, including children, were killed and 30 others injured in the bombing which occurred during Friday prayers in Payee Khan area, some 65 kilometres northeast of Ghalanai, the administrative headquarters of Mohmand Agency.

A function to this effect was attended among others by army and political officials and tribesmen.

The locals offered Friday prayers in the mosque after about six months following its rebuilding. The local elders thanked the Pak Army for support in the reconstruction of the mosque in the backward area.

Similarly, the main Levies gate in the agency headquarters, Ghalanai, has been reopened to general public after 24 days. CCTV cameras, check points and barriers have been put in place around the gate to ensure safety and security of the tribesmen and officials.

The gate was closed down to general public after two suicide bombers blew themselves up at the entrance of the political compound on Feb 15, killing five persons, including three Levies men, and injuring five others, children among them.

UPLIFT SCHEMES DEMANDED: The elders of Qandahari, Shinwari, Mehsud and Gurbaz tribes on Saturday demanded launch of development schemes in the militancy-hit areas of Safi tehsil.

Talking to journalists, elders Malik Gul Shah, Malik Azeem Khan, Malik Haji Bakht, and others assured full cooperation to the political administration and security forces in restoration of durable peace in the area.

They said Safi was the most affected area where a majority of schools and health units had been destroyed during the militancy.

The main Peshawar-Bajaur Road, which also passes through the area, needs immediate reconstruction from Nahqi to Mohammad Gat, they demanded.

They also demanded construction of link roads and upgradation of Mohammad Gat grid station to 132KV to rid the people of electricity shortages. They called for appointment of staff, particularly lady doctors, to the health units.

A political official told Dawn that the government had approved Rs200 million for reconstruction of damaged schools in Mohmand tribal region. He said under the prime minister’s programme 12 health units would be reconstructed.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2017