KHYBER: A jirga of the Bar Qambarkhel tribe here on Friday rejected an apology of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the killing of two tribesmen and demanded the militant outfit hand over the suspected killers for punishment.

The jirga, which was held in Tirah, condemned the TTP’s involvement in the recent violent acts in the region. It demanded that the militant organisation surrender the assailants for punishment according to Sharia.

The participants complained about the “deteriorating” law and order situation in the valley.

The jirga also decided to expel the locals found affiliated with militant groups from the area and torch their houses.

The decision came after the TTP issued an apology for the “mistaken” killing of the two tribesmen in the area during an attack on a local elder’s vehicle on July 10.

On Friday, spokesman for the TTP Mohammad Khurasani issued a statement, insisting that the outfit’s armed men encountered Malik Zahir Shah, his nephew, a guard, and a resident in the Saransar area of Bar Qambarkhel, leading to an exchange of fire.

Meanwhile, the police in the Khyber tribal district have urged all those who were named in a recent threatening letter of two little-known militant groups to adopt extra measures for their protection against possible attacks.

On July 9, Lashkar Al-Jihad and Ghazwaul Hind issued a statement accusing 24 people, including serving and retired police officials, four journalists and some tribal elders, of spying for security and intelligence agencies in the region.

The militant outfits threatened to kill them all. Most of those men have gone into hiding, while the others demanded extra measures by police for their security.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2024