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Salarzai jirga bans outsiders' entry, forms lashkar
 A grand jirga of the Salarzai tribes in Bajaur Agency on Thursday resolved that they would not allow outsiders on their land. Around 800 elders from different tribes attended the gathering, which discussed the recent attacks on tribal lashkars and a new strategy to meet the challenges. The elders asked the government to deploy more troops in the area and establish more security posts to ensure the government's writ. Under the collective responsibility rule, Salarzai tribes would be responsible for the safety of the security forces in the area, they said. Shelter: It was also decided that the houses of those who harbour Taliban would be burnt, they would be banished along with their family members and a fine of Rs 2 million would be imposed, APP reported. The elders also decided that a lashkar of 20,000 volunteers would be re-organised to launch fresh efforts against the Taliban. The volunteers would man various checkposts in the area to keep a vigil on the Taliban, they said. Meanwhile, three people including two Taliban were killed and 12 injured in an exchange of fire between Taliban and the law enforcement agencies in Mohmand Agency on Thursday. Official sources said the Taliban started indiscriminate firing on Lakaro's security checkpost. The security forces, backed by helicopter gunships, pounded Taliban positions at Ghaziabad, Bagh, Gagizai, Girbaaz and Khanka and destroyed several hideouts and bunkers, APP reported. Two Taliban were killed and four injured. Meanwhile, Taliban hideouts were also targeted in Pandali tehsil between Wednesday and Tuesday night. Headquarters: Separately, a Taliban headquarters was taken over in a joint search operation by police and paramilitary forces in the 'disputed villages' of Peshawar district, locals and officials said. "The headquarters is manned by government forces now and Taliban have been flushed out," the officials told Daily Times. Local residents in Mathra area told Daily Times that many Taliban had started to 'change their look' by trimming their beards and long hair. "They are changing their look to avoid being arrested by the government forces or face public wrath," they said. Posted by: Fred 2008-11-28 |
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