'Mild' operation in Khyber continues: Elders optimistic about peace

PESHAWAR - Showing satisfaction over the response of Lashkar-I-Islam chief, Mangal Bagh, the members of the traditional tribal jirga from Bara region of Khyber Agency hoped that the violence in the area would end soon and matter would be resolved through peaceful and political means.

“We at our own initiated the efforts for reconciliation between the government and Lashka-i-Islam,” remarked Jirga member Haji Shaukat while talking to media in Peshawar on Saturday. He denied the impression that the jirga had initiated the efforts for reconciliation at the behest of the political administration.

Intervening on the spot, another jirga member Haji Babu Jan Afridi said, “We are son of the soil and our land has been affected due to increasing hostilities and confrontation between the government and Lashka-i-Islam.” He said that on account of these reasons they decided, after consulting each other, to initiate efforts for reconciliation. He was of the firm belief that their efforts would yield positive and fruitful results in the coming few days.