Khyber Jirga arrive in Peshawar to discuss operation

A 35-member tribal Jirga arrived here Sunday to negotiate the ongoing operation in Khyber Agency with the agency’s Political Agent and other government officials. Jirga has formally initiated its working today and would hold talks with Lashkar-i-Islam chief, Haji Mangal Bagh and agency’s political administration. Earlier, the government and the militant organization, allegedly involved in the deadly sectarian clashes in the agency, agreed on holding negotiations to resolve the issues following days-long operation in the area by security forces. Some 16 hideouts were demolished and 90 suspects were arrested on their alleged affiliation with the two militant sectarian organizations during the operation. Bara, the main insurgency-hit town of the agency, is still impounded in curfew in view of the ongoing operation. Jirga members also met with the Lashkar chief on Saturday to get his confidence over Jirga activities, after achieving mandate for negotiations by the government to end operation and resume peace in the agency.