KOHAT, Oct 10: A grand Jirga from all the 18 tribes of Orakzai Agency announced a no-war pact among the tribes that were engaged in feuds for centuries and decided that a joint force would be sent to Afghanistan to take part in Jihad against the United States.

At least 1,000 fighters had already left for Afghanistan from Orakzai Agency on Monday and another 1,000 were to follow suit by Friday. The tribesmen carried with them missiles and rocket launchers, an influential religious scholar, Maulvi Mohammad Ahad, told Dawn on Wednesday.

The tribes also promised that there would be no sectarian war in the area. The tribes that have agreed to the Jirga decision are: Mamozai, Shekhan, Mishti Khel, Mala Khel, Ali Khel, Feroze Khel, Dalazai, Sipaey, Mani Khel, Marmad Khel, Ali Sher, Saukani, Wazir, Masood, Mangal, Utman Khel and Suleman Khel. The name of the 18th tribe could not be known.

They said they had taken the decision after the government joined the world powers against the innocent Afghans instead of defending them.

D.I. KHAN: An unspecified number of youths from Dera Ismail Khan have joined the Taliban in their Jihad against the US forces, sources said, our Dera Ismail Khan correspondent adds.