LANDI KOTAL, Nov 4: A tribal jirga pledged on Sunday to maintain peace in Jamrud and Landi Kotal tehsils of the Khyber Agency and urged the government to resolve the crisis in Bara and Teerah Valley.

The jirga organised by Tanzeem Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat’s leaders Senator Hafiz Abdul Malik and MNA Allama Noorul Haq Qadri was attended by elders from all major tribes, including Kukikhel, Zakhakhel, Malagori, Shalman and Shinwari.

It was decided that the people of Jamrud and Landi Kotal would not allow any religious outfit to carry out its activities in their areas.

The participants said that troubles in Bara and Teerah Valley were not because of religious territorial disputes, but were fuelled by an individual who wanted to establish his group’s hold in the areas.

Sources said that the jirga referred to Lashkar-i-Islam leader Mangal Bagh whose men had sneaked into Landi Kotal last month.

The jirga also called upon the government to end operations in Swat and tribal areas and initiate talks to resolve the issue. The participants said the use of force would worsen the already fragile security situation in the province and tribal agencies.

Those who addressed the jirga includes Haji Gulab Shinwari, Subedar Wakil Shalmani, Malik Guli Shah Kukikhel, Malik Abdur Raziq Zakhakhel, Haji Shamshad and Agency Councillor Bacha Gul.