BAJAUR, Aug 31: The political administration of Bajaur Agency on Saturday shifted to the Haripur central prison some 40 of the criminals who were arrested during a crackdown on anti-social elements by a tribal Lashkar and the law enforcement agencies.

Sources said that about 70 outlaws and alleged Al Qaeda and Taliban suspects have been arrested in the crackdown launched in the agency on July 20. Security personnel and armed tribesmen of Mamond subdivision are taking part in the clean-up operation against the criminals hiding in the tribal area.

Most of the accused shifted from the Khaar jail to the Haripur prison were Afghan refugees, the sources said and added that the detained people were also suspected to include Taliban and Al Qaeda fugitives.

Official sources, however, did not confirm when asked whether the accused shifted to the Haripur jail were Taliban and Al Qaeda elements.

They said the accused were shifted from the agency on the directions of the provincial government.