Taliban militants sheltering in border regions between Pakistan and Afghanistan attacked pro-government Salarzai tribesmen of Bajaur Agency in the early hours of Friday and claimed picking up a large number of people, including tribal elders and volunteers of peace lashkars. Official in Khar, headquarters of Bajaur Agency, have confirmed the attack, saying retaliatory action was in progress. The officials have so far confirmed killing of two volunteers of peace lashkars and injuries to two others. Both the injured have been admitted to the agency headquarter hospital at Khar. Per details, a Taliban spokesman claimed abducting a large number of pro-government tribesmen during an attack on Salarzai areas.
The spokesman said all hostages had been shifted to Kitkoot, situated on the Pak-Afghan border and being questioned, adding that some of them had sustained injuries during the attack. However, the spokesman was unable to give the exact figures of hostages and their identity. A group of militants headed by Maulvi Said Jamal alias Mullah Dad Ullah is active in Bajaur Agency. The group is also linked with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Mohmand Agency and has sanctuaries in no-man lands between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Former deputy chief of TTP Pakistan Maulvi Faqir Mohammad is also stationed in the same area, but he has already been expelled from the group.
But Pakistani officials said Maulvi Faqir Mohammad was in the good books of Afghan officials, particularly those governing the Kunar province. While confirming the early Friday morning attack, officials in Khar said, “Retaliation is in progress. Beside the ground forces, hideouts of the militants are being targeted with help of helicopter gunships.” However, the officials are tight-lipped about human and property losses on both sides. Local tribesmen confirmed fierce fighting in the area. A large number of tribal families have abandoned homes and shifted to safer areas.
