GHALANAI, Jan 5: Militants kidnapped 11 members of the Mandel tribe of Bajaur in Mohmand Agency on Monday and took them to an unspecified place.

The tribesmen had gone to Mohmand Agency’s Anbar Tehsil three days ago to persuade militants to stop rocket attacks on villages near Khar, headquarters of the Bajaur Agency.

“The jirga members visited Anbar on a peace mission. We have reports that they have been kidnapped by unidentified militants,” said the political tehsildar, Ahsanullah Khan.

Ten of the kidnapped tribal elders were identified as Malik Alam Gul, Malik Zafar Khan, Malik Zegar Khan, Malik Abdur Rehman, Malik Bukhti Ahmad, Malik Jan Rehman, Malik Darvesh, Malik Sher Rehman, Malik Ahsan and Malik Dilbar Khan.

Anwarullah adds from Khar:The Mandel tribe condemned the kidnapping and warned of attacking militants in Anbar if their elders were not set free.

They also asked the tribal administration to step in for their recovery.

Some government installations, including a residential colony, have been constantly under rocket attacks by militants from a hilltop situated on the boundary between Mohmand and Bajaur agencies.