MARDAN, Sept 2: The Aman Jirga Mardan (AJM) has expressed concern over the rising incidents of kidnapping for ransom in Mardan.

A meeting of the AJM was organised by its president Syed Kamal Shah advocate, and it was presided over by District Nazim Himaytullah Khan Mayar here on Sunday.

The meeting, which was held at the District Council Hall, was largely attended by traders, political leaders, lawyers, and members of the community.

Jirga members condemned the kidnapping of the son of a transporter of Mardan a week ago and expressed their concern that kidnappings were growing in Mardan district.

They said that kidnapping cases were not only making traders feel insecure but also officials of law-enforcement agencies were feeling insecure.

Mr Kamal demanded the law-enforcement agencies to start an operation clean-up in the tribal agencies, particularly in Skhakot, against abductors and criminals as it was a safe heaven for them.

He said if the government failed to start an operation against the criminals, then the AJM would have to launch a campaign on its own.

Mr Iqbal said that kidnappers were the most coward people as they abducted innocent children and other people and then blackmailed their parents, which was ridiculous.

He said that Saddam Hussain, a first-year college student and son of a transporter, was kidnapped for ransom a week ago but there was no clue as to his whereabouts.