Pakistani jirga threatens to target Afghan militant hideouts

Peshawar: A tribal jirga in northwest Pakistan has threatened it will target militant hideouts inside Afghanistan if Afghan authorities fail to stop cross-border attacks. The warning was issued by a jirga or council attended by elders of the Mamond tribe of Bajaur Agency. The jirga was held yesterday, a day after a cross-border attack by militants on Sarkai village.

The elders threatened they would target militant hideouts inside Afghan territory if such attacks continued. The elders assured the local administration of their full support in preventing cross-border attacks and promised to take strict action against the supporters of militants. "We appeal to the Afghan government to redress the issue of cross-border attacks on a priority basis. They should take serious steps to stop such activities because it is affecting relations between tribesmen of border areas on both sides," the jirga said. Hundreds of tribal elders and members of anti-Taliban militias participated in the jirga. Assistant Political Agent Sohail Ahmed Khan of Bajaur Agency and other officials of the local administration also took part in the meeting. The jirga discussed the law and order situation in border areas, activities of the "peace committees" or anti-Taliban militias and a strategy for preventing cross-border attacks. Addressing the gathering, the Assistant Political Agent urged elders and members of peace committees to mobilise tribesmen to protect their land against aggression by militants.