KHAR: Political authorities in Bajaur Agency freed nine suspected Al Qaeda militants on the personal guarantee of a tribe, officials said on Saturday. The suspects were arrested in a pre-dawn raid on Damadola village on May 4 this year. The raid was meant to arrest militant commander Maulana Faqir Muhammad, but he was not there. "I agree with your demand," Bajaur Agency Political Agent Fahim Wazir told a jirga of the Mamond tribe which called on him here on Saturday. The Mamond tribe assured the political agent that no terrorist or "foreign agent" would be allowed to disturb peace in Bajaur Agency, overlooking Afghanistan's Kunar province where the US forces are looking for Osama bin Laden. Those freed are Maulana Bashir Ahmed, Maulana Gul Muhammad, Habibullah, Ziaul Haq, Dr Ismail, Jamal Said, Maulana Inayatur Rehman, Jan Muhammad and Maulana Bahadur Khan. Another suspect, Maulana Jan Muhammad, had died during interrogation.
| That's some comfort, at least. |