Losing ground: Bagh’s fighters retreating

Mangal Bagh’s loyalists have started retreating from clashes with Zakhakhel tribesmen in Tirah Valley.

PESHAWAR:

The ongoing clashes between the Lashkar-e-Islam (LeI) and Zakhakhel tribesmen in Tirah Valley of Khyber Agency continued on the sixth consecutive day on Monday amid reports that Mangal Bagh’s loyalists were retreating.

“The heavily-armed Zakhakhel tribesmen, aided by fighters from LeI arch-rival Ansarul Islam (AI), have inflicted heavy casualties on Bagh’s loyalists in fresh clashes,” tribal sources told The Express Tribune.

Several LeI fighters have surrendered after they ran out of ammunition and after finding themselves besieged by Zakhakhel tribesmen. Families have started fleeing fierce fighting in the areas of Nari Baba, Bango Dara, Nangrosa and Sandana in Tirah Valley.

AI fighters, commanded by their leader Qazi Mehboobul Haq, are advancing towards the Sanda Paal area located on the high peaks of Spin Ghar where Bagh is defending his positions.

The Afridi tribesmen living in the Bara sub-division have rejected repeated calls from Bagh for reinforcement.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th,  2011.