GHALLANAI (Mohmand Agency), Oct 22: Vice Chief of the Army Staff Gen Mohammad Yousaf has ruled out any operation against Al Qaeda suspects in the Mohmand tribal region, saying that the army has been stationed to supervise development schemes in the area.

Speaking at a gathering of a representative tribal jirga here at Bahai Qala on Wednesday he said that peace could be restored in Afghanistan if the Pukhtun population was given due representation in the government.

Commander 11th corps Lt-Gen Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai, Inspector General of Frontier Corps Maj-Gen Hamid Khan and senior military and civil officers were also present on the occasion.

Gen Yousaf also visited the areas where Pakistan and Afghan border forces had exchanged firing.

While addressing the tribesmen he said: “ The army came to the region only for development works and not for conducting operation against Al Qaeda.”

Appreciating the support of the tribesmen he said that the government was fully aware of their problems and would provide all basic facilities to the local people.