Tanks, APCs deployed in Khyber Agency‘s Bara
LANDI KOTAL: The Khyber Agency administration deployed tanks and armoured personnel carriers at important points in Bara sub division of Khyber Agency on Wednesday as volunteers of Lashkar-i-Islam (LI) abandoned their armed patrols in the area.
Security forces were seen patrolling the Bara roads, while Bara traders took out a protest procession against airstrikes against Lashkar-i-Islam base in Speen Qabar on Monday.
A local resident, Saeedullah, told Dawn that the entire band of LI volunteers had gone into hiding after the airstrikes on their base. LI chief Mangal Bagh had reportedly urged Bara residents to rise against security forces and warned the Khasadar and security personnel to abandon their duties.
Security forces were deployed at all entry and exit points in Bara tehsil.
Bara bazaar remained shut on Wednesday as it was announced by the Tajir Ittehad to express solidarity with Lashkar-i-Islam. Dozens of traders wearing black bands on their arms and carrying placards inscribed with anti-government slogans started their protest procession from Minara Chowk and converged at Market Chowk.
The protesting traders also chanted slogans against the ANP and JUI-F leadership and accused them of anti-tribal policies. They held the ANP cheif, Asfandiyar Wali Khan and JUI chief, Maulana Fazal Rehman, responsible for the Monday attacks and accused them of killing innocent people.
Head of Bara Peace Committee Haji Shaukat Khan Afridi also addressed a press conference at Bara Press Club and condemned the Monday airstrikes on the LI base in Speen Qabar. He disputed the government’s claim of targeting LI chief Mangal Bagh and contended that innocent people were targeted in the attacks.
Shaukat Afridi urged the Khyber Agency political administration to resolve the issue through negotiations and refrain from use of force.
Meanwhile, Tehrik-i-Taliban Khyber Agency leader Hamza Afridi has announced his full support to Lashkar-i-Islam and said that his armed supporters in Khyber Agency would fight side by side with the LI against security forces if any attack was carried against LI in future.
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