LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), April 9: The Bara Political Administration on Monday released 44 tribesmen arrested in connection with the kidnapping of Peshawar journalist Sohail Qalandar.

The released men included 34 Shalobar tribesmen and nine people belonging to the Malikdin Khel clan. All of them were arrested by the Bara Political Administration under the Collective Territorial Responsibility Clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR).

The release was made on the intervention of MNA Maulana Khalilur Rehman, Senator Hamidullah Jan and former federal state minister Malik Waris Khan.

Bara Assistant Political Agent Attaur Rehman Aurakzai told Dawn that the main culprits involved in the kidnapping of Sohail Qalandar would be arrested soon as the administration had got some vital information over the issue from a man called Abdul Badshah.

He said Abdul Badshah was in official custody and he had divulged names of some kidnappers of Mr Qalandar. Mr Qalandar was kidnapped in Hayatabad in Peshawar on Feb 2 and remained in captivity for almost 50 days.

ROAD ACCIDENT: A man and his minor daughter were injured when they were fired upon by members of a rival party at Zeen Tarha on the Peshawar-Torkhum road on Monday.

Family sources said that Wahidullah had a monetary dispute with Saifur Rehman, a local elder from Ashiqkhel tribe.

On Monday morning, Wahidullah, along with his daughter Waheeda, were going to Peshawar in a passenger coach when Saifur Rehman and his accomplices opened fire on the flying coach.

The firing resulted in bullet injuries to the father and daughter sitting on the rear seat of the coach. They were taken to local hospital.

The girl was later shifted to Peshawar due to her serious condition but Wahidullah was stated to be in stable condition.

Local administration have registered a case and are investigating.