PESHAWAR, Sept 3: The volunteers of various peace bodies in Peshawar and tribal and semi-tribal regions have decided to extend cooperation to each other in their fight against Taliban, according to sources.

They said that a meeting of the heads of various peace bodies was held at Bazidkhel on Saturday wherein different issues were discussed.

The meeting was also attended by Haji Gul Meran of Madali Chowk, Lal Pur Gul and Javed of Dura Adda of Akakhel and Bazidkhel Qaumi Lashkar chief Fahimur Rehman.

The participants of the meeting expressed concern over shortage of arms and ammunitions, saying government should extend support to them otherwise they would not be in a position to afford the expenditures of the fight against militants.

They said that government had promised to raise community police for support of peace bodies but all the appointments in the force were made on basis of political affiliations. Those policemen only worked as bodyguards of political figures, they alleged.

Mr Rehman, when contacted, said that cooperation among peace bodies was need of the hour as government was unable to secure the border area of Peshawar district.

"The personnel of community police at Badbher are at the disposal of the activists of Awami National Party while being head of the peace body I have not been given any post in the community police," he complained.

He said that all the peace bodies had been established on the directives of police and they were assured of provision of basic facilities including weapons and ration but none of the commitment was fulfilled.

"We have put our lives at stake because militants are not ready to forgive us even if the peace bodies in some areas have become almost inactive," Mr Rehman said.

He added that volunteers had the only option to remain alert and fight otherwise they would not be able to remain safe in the prevailing situation.

He said that he had survived several attempts on his life including suicide and car bombings. The latest attempt was made before the month of Ramazan wherein one would-be suicide bomber reached his residence but his bodyguards killed him before he could detonate his suicide vest, he added.

"We had also received information that two would-be suicide bombers would enter Bazidkhel area on the eve of Eidul Fitr but they could not do so owing to tight security arrangements in the areas," he claimed.

The lashkar chief challenged the police officials of Rural Circle of Peshawar to prove as to what role they had played against terrorists so far.

He said that the credit went to peace bodies, which always rendered sacrifice and repulsed militants. "The formation of peace bodies in Akkakhel area goes to my credit. We supported the law enforcement agencies and saved lives of police and citizens in Peshawar district," he said.

Similar views were expressed by the head of Adezai Qaumi Lashkar Dilawar Khan, who said that his volunteers were fighting terrorism with their limited resources and government was least bothered to support them.

Efforts were made to contact Peshawar SSP (operations) Ijaz Ahmed and Capital City Police Officer Imtiaz Altaf for comments in this regard but they could not be approached by telephones.

However, spokesman of provincial government and Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain dispelled the impression that recruitment in community police were made on political basis.

He said that government was supporting peace bodies and would continue to back them against terrorists.

"We will always extend support to anti-terrorists bodies till last but those involved in any kind of crime, particularly car snatching, kidnapping for ransom and blackmailing will never be helped," he said.

The minister advised the volunteers to avoid political scoring and fight militants sincerely. He said that all the peace bodies had been provided with arms and ammunitions and police were always there to support them.