A jirga of the Bar Qambarkhel tribe on Friday rejected an apology from the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for the killing of two tribesmen, demanding that the militant group hand over the suspected killers for punishment.
Held in Tirah, the jirga condemned the TTP’s involvement in recent violent acts in the region and insisted the group surrender the assailants for punishment according to Sharia law.
Participants expressed concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the valley.
The jirga also resolved to expel locals affiliated with militant groups from the area and to burn down their houses.
This decision followed the TTP’s apology for the “mistaken” killing of the two tribesmen during an attack on a local elder’s vehicle on July 10.
On Friday, TTP spokesman Mohammad Khurasani issued a statement explaining that the group’s armed men encountered Malik Zahir Shah, his nephew, a guard, and a resident in the Saransar area of Bar Qambarkhel, leading to an exchange of fire.
Meanwhile, police in the Khyber tribal district have advised those named in a recent threatening letter from two lesser-known militant groups to take extra precautions for their safety.
On July 9, Lashkar Al-Jihad and Ghazwaul Hind issued a statement accusing 24 individuals, including current and retired police officials, four journalists, and some tribal elders, of spying for security and intelligence agencies in the region. The groups threatened to kill these individuals, prompting many to go into hiding and others to call for increased police protection.
