Combating militancy: Mamond jirga held, aims to maintain peace

Promises full support to Pakistan Army.

KHAR:

A grand tribal jirga of the Damadola, Mamond tribe of Bajaur Agency has extended full support to the security forces to rid the area of militants.

The jirga was held on Saturday in which in-charge of the operation, Pakistan Army Brigadier Haider and Colonel Ayub Awan of 4th Wing, also participated.

Tribesmen declared Malik Sher Ali as their head. Haider said that the Damadola area of the agency had a long history of supporting the government and armed forces initiatives for the restoration of peace.

“The support has paved way for restoring normalcy in the area and ridding the region of insurgents, supported by the forces,” he added. He appreciated sacrifices of the tribesmen, saying that the tribal people had rendered unprecedented efforts for the cause in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

The brigadier called upon the head of the tribe to help in materialising the peaceful steps to maintain the welfare of the people. “We cannot undermine the tribal elder’s sacrifices and their efforts,” he said.

Malik Shoaib, Malik Sultanzeb and Malik Sharifullah also spoke on the occasion and extended their support to the forces. They also announced that they would aid the security forces and make sure to rid the area of anti-state elements once and for all.

Damadola is the hometown of Taliban commander Faqeer Muhammad and has been a centre of violence. A large number of tribal elders have faced the brunt of attacks in the recent past for supporting the government. The areas close to the Afghan border in the agency have been under attack by militants who have established their bases on the other side.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2012.