BAJAUR: A jirga of Salarzai tribe in Bajaur tribal district on Friday set an eight-day deadline to the authorities for taking action against alleged killers of a youth and other anti-social elements in the region.

The deadline was set during the jirga held in Lakoo Khwar area two days after enraged people torched seven houses of a group of alleged killers of a youth on Wednesday.

A large number of elders and leaders of political parties belonging to Salarzai tribe attended the meeting called for adopting a strategy to bring the killers of a youth to justice and rid the region of criminal elements.

Chief of Pashat Salarzai and former MNA Shahabuddin Khan, JI district head Maulana Waheed Gul, PML-N leader Malik Gul Kareem, Malik Hifzur Rahman, Malik Mohammad Nasar Khan, Malik Fazal Rabi, chief of Larkholoz Mamond Malik Sultan Zeb and others addressed the jirga.

Elders show concern about rising incidents of targeted killings in Bajaur

The speakers expressed concern over the growing incidents of targeted killings in the region. They termed torching of houses of alleged killers in accordance with their customs and traditions, saying the action was essential to discouraging criminal elements in the region.

The elders also expressed concern over the killing of two people of Salarzai tribe after the action to torch houses of alleged killers.

The elders demanded the administration to immediately arrest those involved in the killing of two people of Salarzai tribe. Moreover, the jirga asked the administration to take steps for stopping the incidents of targeted killings.

It was decided that Salarzai people would adopt their plan of action against the alleged killers on August 15 if the authorities did not take action against them.

Later, a delegation of elders of Salarzai tribe, including Shahabuddin Khan, Maulana Waheed Gul and others, met with deputy commissioner Mohammad Fayyaz and DPO Shahzada Kokab Farooq in Matasha police checkpost. The officials assured the elders of making all-out efforts to arrest those involved in killing of the youth.

HOUSES ATTACKED: A group of Mohmand tribesmen attacked the houses of residents of bordering Nawagai locality of Bajaur tribal district and destroyed two houses, residents and officials said here on Friday.

They said the incident occurred in Nawagai Dag area, located along the border between Bajaur and Mohmand tribal districts.

The residents said that a group of enraged people of Safi tehsil of Mohmand district entered Nawagai Dag and attacked the houses of two local residents, identified as Mian Muslim Jan and Mian Saz Gul. The motive behind the attack could not be known immediately.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2020