LOWER DIR: Elders from Badwan, Khadagzai, Mian Brangola, Talash and Dushkhel areas pledged here the other day to make collective efforts to maintain peace in the region.

The development came during a jirga held at Government High School Brangola with over 200 elders from various union councils in attendance.

Representatives of the Qaumi Islahi Jirga Talash Dushkhel, Talash Youth Jirga and Adenzai Qaumi Jirga, along with elders from Badwan, Khadagzai, and Brangola, including Malik Mohammad Ibrahim, Aftab Alam, Mohammad Raziq, Jehana Bahadar, and Ashfaqur Rehman, voiced concerns about the reported presence of suspicious individuals in the Shin Kamar Barcharai and Manai forest areas, which border Talash and Khadagzai in Adenzai.

In a declaration, the jirga rejected both terrorism and military operations in the area and urged authorities to take strict action against any terrorist presence.

Rejects both terrorism, military operations in area

The elders said local communities won’t support external elements attempting to disrupt peace.

They warned that facilitators of terrorists would be face action.

The elders announced that in order to strengthen law and order, a jirga would be formed for Badwan, Khadagzai and Brangola, like the one formed in Talash, to fight street crime and maintain peace.

BURIED: Emotional scenes were seen as three bodies arrived at the Mayar graveyard for burial the other day.

According to residents and police, a dispute between children led an armed clash, killing three family members in the Badonai area of Lower Dir district.

The deceased, including Saadat, Zakir and Khaliq, were shot dead by Babar in Badonai area on Wednesday evening.

Sadiq suffered critical injuries and was taken to Timergara hospital for treatment. The suspect, an arms dealer, fled under the cover of darkness.

The police registered a case and launched a search operation for the suspect.

Meanwhile, two people suffered severe electric shocks while installing streetlights under TMA supervision on Timergara Rest House Road the other day.

One of them, Wahid Gul, later died.

Rescue 1122 provided first aid and transported the victims to the hospital.

In another incident, a fire broke out in the house of resident Liaqat in Samarbagh Damatel.

Rescue 1122 workers controlled the fire and ensured the safety of nearby homes.

HELD:The Mayar police arrested drug dealer Asif Khan and seized over 1kg hashish.

They registered a case and began an investigation.

Also, the Lower Dir police, with the assistance of Interpol, apprehended a murder suspect, Bismillah Khan, who had been residing in Saudi Arabia for the last seven years.

The suspect was wanted for serious offences. He was brought back after the issuance of a red warrant and handed over to Lower Dir police for legal proceedings.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2025