GHALANAI, May 20: The political authorities in Mohmand Agency have released 91 tribesmen, who had earlier surrendered to the security forces, on the recommendation of a tribal jirga.

Assistant political agent Roushen Mehsud told Dawn that these people were released on Thursday. The released people belong to Sagi, Dwezai and Masood Safi tribes.

He said that these people had joined militants and obtained terrorist training, but did not take part in subversive acts. He said that over 200 militants had been arrested in operations in Mohmand Agency and 91 were released on the guarantee of the jirga.

In tribal areas, the political administration usually releases suspects on the personal guarantee of elders rather than putting them under proper trial.

A jirga met in Ghalanai, the administrative headquarters, on Thursday which was attended by elders of various tribes. Political agent Amjad Ali Khan and senior army officers also attended the jirga.

The jirga decided that peace committees would be established in the area and volunteers would cooperate with the security forces to restore permanent peace.

The political agent told elders that army had cleared 70 per cent area of Safi and Khwaizai Bizai tehsils of militants.

He said that militants were still hiding in some pockets near the Afghan border. He said that government writ had been restored in Mohmand Agency and added that army would remain in the area till complete restoration of peace.

Meanwhile, militants fired four rockets early Friday, which did not cause any damage in Ghalanai. Officials said that rockets hit the nearby hilltops.

Later, the administration arrested 21 people under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation.