Khyber Agency clashes: 4 peace volunteers killed, one kidnapped

Mangal Bagh led Lashkar-e-Islam clashed with Akakhel peace militia.

KHYBER AGENCY: Four volunteers of Akakhel peace militia were killed while one was kidnapped in a clash with militants belonging to the Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) outfit in Bara, Khyber Agency on Saturday.

An official of the political administration Bara said that clashes erupted between the Mangal Bagh led banned group LI and peace militia of Akkakhel in the early hours of Saturday in which four members of peace militia were killed while one was kidnapped.

The official further claimed that the militants had attacked the peace volunteers after a local tribesmen sought assistance from LI militants against the militia. The tribesman had claimed that members of the peace militia had allegedly occupied his house.

After the clashes, the official said LI militants took away the bodies of the volunteers and kidnapped a man identified as Amal Khan.

The Akakhel peace militia have been constantly engaged in skirmishes with the militants to clear Bara and adjacent areas from their influence, however they have met with limited success.

The Tirah Valley along with Akkakhel areas are believed to be stronghold of LI militants.