Machni and Shabqadar elders on Thursday agreed with the government to hand over by December 20 Taliban operating in their areas, and demanded that the administration provide them weapons as APP reported that Haleemzai tribesmen had handed over 21 suspects to the authorities in Ghalanai. The agreement came at a jirga where officials gave the elders a list of more than 100 Taliban wanted by the authorities. The Yakaghund assistant political agent will give the elders another list of wanted men in two days.
Peshawar Commissioner Arbab Shahrukh had called on the elders to hand over Taliban fighters in their areas by December 20. He warned that if the wanted men did not surrender, their relatives would be arrested and their houses would be demolished.
The commissioner later told reporters that security forces would continue patrolling Shinu Ghundai and Qila Shah Baig areas, although the Taliban had fled amid a military operation -- "which will continue till the locals realise their responsibility to maintain peace".
Charsadda DPO Waqif Khan said that around 600 Taliban fighters were previously operating in Shinu Ghundai and Qila Shah Baig areas, but the majority fled when the military operation was launched.
The jirga was attended by elders from the Tarakazai, Haleemzai, Qasim Khel, Dadu Khel and Barankhel tribes. The second round of talks will now be held on December 20.
Suspects handed over: According to APP, a jirga of Haleemzai tribesmen handed over 21 suspects to the political authorities in Ghalanai, and sought three more days to surrender 16 other wanted men.