The Bajaur Agency political administration on Saturday launched an operation against poppy growers after a jirga failed to resolve matters. Sources said that Barang tribes had refused to cooperate with the government in destroying the poppy crop voluntarily. Reports reaching Khar, the regional headquarters of Bajaur Agency, said that a levy force supported by tribal police and tribesmen in Barang tehsil, the hub of poppy cultivation, were exchanging fire. According to eyewitnesses, both sides were using heavy weapons. However, there have been no reports of casualties on either side. The atmosphere was tense and villagers were fleeing to safer places. Meanwhile, Haroon Rashid, member of the National Assembly from Bajaur, demanded immediate halt to the operation, saying the government was “deliberately disturbing the peaceful atmosphere” in the area. A senior administration official said the operation would continue until tribesmen agreed to destroy the standing poppy crop.