BAJAUR: Tribal elders on Sunday brokered a temporary ceasefire between two warring tribes in the Barang tehsil of Bajaur tribal district.

The Toor Khel and Sheer Khel tribes, who had got engaged in a gun battle over the ownership of a mountain two days ago, agreed to cease fire following the elders’ separate meetings with their representatives.

The elders led by chief of Utmankhel tribe Malik Bahadar Shah requested the tribesmen to stop fighting as use of force to settle disputes had been strictly prohibited after the former Fata’s merger with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

However, the sources said leaders of both the tribes refused the request.

However, when a team of senior police officials joined the jirga members’ call for ceasefire and warned the tribes of action they agreed to shun hostilities.

Talking to reporters, jirga chief Malik Bahadar Shah said they had got the tribes to ink an agreement, binding them that they won’t use weapons against each other till Feb 15.

FILLING STATIONS SEALED: The district administration on Sunday sealed several filling stations for operating illegally, an official said.

Talking to reporters, Khar subdivision assistant commissioner Fazal Raheem said about 17 petrol pumps were sealed for operating without NOC issued by the administration and Ogra.

He said the filling stations mostly located in Khar tehsil were sealed during an action conducted by a team of administration officials.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2021