GHALANAI, Sept 21: The beheaded bodies of three tribesmen, kidnapped by militants a month ago, were found in Khawezai tehsil of Mohmand Agency on Wednesday.

Sources said that Mian Hazrat, Nazeem, and Habib had been kidnapped by militants about a month ago from Palosai area of Khawezai tehsil. Their beheaded bodies were found in Sam Ghakay area of the tribal region. Sources said that volunteers of local peace committee and officials of political administration brought the bodies of Mian Hazrat and Nazeem to agency headquarters hospital in Ghalanai and later handed them over to their relatives. The body of Habib was still lying there, they added.

Meanwhile, unidentified persons kidnapped a tubewell operator, Hzarat Ali, on Tuesday. Security forces launched a search operation in the area for his recovery.

Sources said that unidentified assailants burnt a tractor of Mohmand Rifles in Khwaja Waskor area of Haleemzai tehsil. Security forces arrested 20 tribesmen under the collective responsibility clause of FCR after the incident. In Upper Dir, police claimed to have arrested a mastermind of the June 5, 2009, suicide attack on a mosque in Hayagay Sharqi area of the district.

Officials of Sheringal police station said that the accused, Sahibzada, was arrested on Tuesday and was shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

Sources said that the accused, a resident of Shatkas Doog Darra, was a student of B.A in Peshawar.

In Bajaur Agency, 25 militants laid down arms and surrendered to security forces on Wednesday.

Sources said that the surrendered militants belonged to different areas of Salarzai tehsil. They said that the militants, including three commanders, laid down weapons and surrendered to security forces during a tribal jirga.

They told the jirga on oath that they would not keep contacts with militants nor would they provide any kind of support to them in future. They said that Taliban commander deceived them in the name of jihad and Islam.

The tribal elders on the occasion resolved to continue their efforts against terrorists and criminal elements in Salarazai tehsil till their complete elimination.

They said that situation had been improved in most areas of the tribal region owing to understanding between political administration and tribal people.