LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), Feb 5: The political administration of the Khyber Agency has failed to broker a ceasefire between two sectarian groups in the Tirah valley after an official 35-member jirga abandoned its efforts to bring them to talks on Monday.

Jirga members, including tribal elders from all the seven tribal agencies, accused the two warring factions, Lashkar-i-Islam and Ansaarul Islam, of not cooperating with them.

More than 200 people have so far lost their lives from both sides during the 11-month-old fighting.

The jirga held talks a number of times with representatives of the two groups but failed to make a headway towards a compromise.

Hashim Khan, a member of the jirga, told Dawn that most of the jirga members were frustrated with the non-committal attitude of Lashkar-i-Islam.

“Most of the jirga members from North and South Waziristan, Kurram, Orakzai, Bajaur and Mohmand agencies have decided to leave,” he said, adding that they have left the dispute at the disposal of local elders.

Meanwhile, Khyber Agency Political Agent Dr Tashfeen has warned of initiating ‘action’ against the two groups in the wake of jirga failure.

He said that the jirga was constituted on the request of Bara elders and it was the last chance for a peaceful resolution of the Tirah dispute.

Dr Tashfeen said that the All-Fata Jirga was constituted in accordance with tribal traditions and its failure to broker a ceasefire would put both the warring parties into trouble.