KOHAT, June 7: The political authorities with the help of khasadar force arrested 24 criminals in an operation launched in Darra Adam Khel, on the directives of NWFP governor on Tuesday night. Earlier the authorities had called in frontier constabulary in a bid to apprehend three hardened criminals wanted by Sindh, Punjab and NWFP police hiding in Darra Adam Khel involved in car lifting, kidnappings for ransom and smuggling. But so far FC had not been engaged in the action, officials in Darra Adam Khel informed.

However, the three most wanted criminals, Mir Said alias Charg, Munir and the other unknown had refused to surrender either to the tribal elders or the political authorities.

Officials said that the operation would continue until the whole area including the no go area of Peshawar near Darra Adam Khel is purged of criminals.