KHAR, Oct 28: Local mujahideen and a peace committee of Mamond tribes of Bajaur Agency have resolved to make joint efforts to counter anti-state elements. Speaking at a public meeting in Omari area on Saturday, leaders of local mujahideen and the banned Tehrik Nefaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi (TNSM) blamed the government’s policies for the worsening law and order and lack of peace in the tribal areas.

The speakers included Maulana Faqir Mohammad, a leader of the outlawed TNSM who is wanted by the government for his alleged links with Taliban; Maulana Mohammad Liaquat; Maulana Inayatur Rehman; Maulana Gul Mohammad; Maulana Maseehullah; Maulana Sher Bahadar and Malik Abdul Aziz.

They said the mujahideen were neither involved in attacks on checkpoints nor the killing of security personnel in the agency. They said that the tribal people were law-abiding and patriotic citizens of the country and they wanted peace and development in their area.

They said that they would join forces against those elements which were out to disrupt peace in the agency. They reiterated that they would continue their Jihad against anti-Islam elements.

The speakers termed the propaganda about the presence of Al Qaeda leaders Osama bin Laden and Aiman Al Zawahri in the region baseless, saying such rumours were spread to disrupt peace in the area.

They said that before the ouster of Taliban from power in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s western borders were safe and secure.