LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), Dec 30: The jirga comprising elders from all seven tribal agencies has failed to broker a ceasefire between rival religious groups in Tirah valley of the Khyber Agency.

The jirga held negotiations with the self-proclaimed amir of the Lashkar-i-Islam, Mangal Bagh, in Gogrina on Friday, but was unsuccessful in persuading him to agree to a ceasefire.

According to sources, Mangal Bagh demanded that the all-Fata jirga should first enforce earlier decision of handing him over the property of his rival, Pir Saifur Rehman.

Some officials of the Khyber Agency political administration also accompanied the jirga upto Bazaar-Zakhakhe in an attempt to stop the fighting.

It was also learnt that Mangal Bagh expressed dissatisfaction over the presence of government officials among jirga members and refused to succumb to official pressure.

Sources said that although the jirga members had acquired full assurance from leaders of the Ansaar-ul-Islam for a settlement of the dispute, their opponent Mangal Bagh was non-committal and he reportedly told the jirga that he would first consult Shura before making a decision about the ceasefire.

Some of the pro-administration Maliks claimed to have brokered what they described an “unofficial” ceasefire.

But their claim was soon refuted by their own colleagues when they announced abandoning their efforts till the second week of January.

Tribal elders and Maliks belonging to other tribal agencies have also left for their areas where Eidul Azha will be celebrated on Sunday.