PESHAWAR, March 17: A tribal Jirga of Mohmand Agency on Monday turned down the government’s proposal to deploy army and Frontier Corps in inaccessible areas of the agency, sources said.

Over 200 elders of Mohmand tribe attended the Jirga held at Behai Qala near the Afghan border.

Sources said some elders loyal to the political administration refused to attend the Jirga and supported the sending of army to the area.

The Jirga unanimously decided not to allow the Pakistan and Afghan governments to deploy their forces in Baizai and Khwazai areas in the disputed territory between the countries.

The elders asked the countries not to interfere in their internal affairs.

The tribesmen denied reports about the presence of Al Qaeda and Taliban fugitives in the remote area.

They said the tribesmen would not compromise on their autonomy and tribal traditions by allowing army to establish permanent checkpoints in the agency.

A home and tribal affairs department official told Dawn that Islamabad and Kabul had claims over Baizai and Khwazai and the Afghan government moved its forces towards the territory a few days back.

The official said the government was planning to deploy army troops in the areas to check movement of Al Qaeda fugitives. It has already deployed army troops in other tribal agencies in the wake of United States-led war against terrorism.

FC OFFICIAL: FC Inspector-General Maj-Gen Tajul Haq held a meeting with the political authorities in the headquarters of Mohmand Rifles and discussed the situation in the area.