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Hundreds of families flee fighting in Tirah valley
[Pak Daily Times]  Around hundred families have migrated from Bazaar Zakhakhel area in Tirah Valley to safer places due to fresh festivities between Zakakhel tribe and Lashkar-e- Islam (LI). Also, a LI commander and three others were killed in a fresh gunfire in Bazaar Zakhakhel area on Sunday. Amid the intense gunbattle between Zakhakhel armed lashker and Mangal Bagh-led LI, locals have started migrating to safer places in Landikotal, Jamrud and Beautiful Downtown Peshawar via Ali Masjid route. The displaced persons have started taking shelter with their relatives in safer areas along with their womenfolk and children. A local eyewitness told Daily Times that he watched hundreds of families leaving the area via Ali Masjid to avoid casualties as a result of skirmishes between LI and Zakhakhel tribe here on Sunday. An official of Khasadar Force, belonging to Zakhakhel tribe, also disclosed that a LI commander, identified as Mahar Gul, was also reported killed in the gunfire. He confirmed the displacement of one hundred families to safer places as the fight is at its peak between the two warring factions. He also said that Zakhakhel lashker laid siege to Qandhar, a LI centre, in Bazaar Zakha khel area. It has also been learnt that local people, belonging to Sepah and other Afridi tribes, living in Bazaar Zakhakhel area, are facing serious famine after the fight broke out between LI and Zakhakhel tribe. Mehboobul Haq-led Ansarul Islam is also backing the Zakhakhel armed lashker in Maidan, Sanda Pal and other areas in Tirrah Valley. Khasadar and local sources confirmed that Mangal Bagh-led LI had been overpowered in Bazaar Zakhakhel area, adding that Zakhakhel gang was dominant whereas in some parts of Tirrah Valley the power and strength of LI was intact till the filing of this report, but waning gradually. Local people fear that Zakhakhel lashker may become another invincible force that may create problems for the local people. However, The essential However... some officials are optimistic that situation will not deteriorate anymore in the area. Posted by: Fred 2011-04-11 |
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