PARACHINAR/KOHAT, May 29: The elders of Turi and Bangash tribes have condemned the incident of firing on a passenger vehicle in Kurram Agency and demanded stern action against the attackers to make the roads safe in the tribal region.

In this connection, an emergent jirga was held on Tuesday that was attended by a large number of elders of Turi and Bangash tribes. The participants of the jirga expressed anguish over the incident of firing on innocent passengers. They discussed ways and means to thwart such incident in the future.

The jirga, also attended by Allama Mohammad Nawaz, Khateeb of Parachinar Jamia Masjid, decided to convey their reservations to the government in writing.

The elders said that Turi and Bangash tribes maintained peace in their respective areas but government was not cooperating with them to make the roads safe.

Meanwhile, all the three victims of the firing incident were laid to rest at their ancestral graveyards. A large number of people participated in their funeral prayers.

Kurram Political Agent Shahab Ali Shah claimed that four persons, involved in the attack, were arrested and house of one of them was destroyed.

Twenty other suspects were also arrested. They were under interrogation, sources said.

Meanwhile, a jirga of all tribes of Frontier Region of Kohat was held in Qasimkhel area of Darra Adamkhel on Tuesday for the first time during the last four years to work for restoration of peace in the area.

Kohat Commissioner Sahibzada Mohammad Anees was chief guest on the occasion. The jirga was also attended by FR Kohat Political Agent Shahidullah Khan, Assistant Political Agent Fakhruddin, leaders of coalminers Sabir Afridi and Bilal Afridi, Col Inayat, tribal elder Syed Mohammad Afridi and representatives of all the six main tribes -- Akhorwal, Zarghunkhel, Sheraki, Bostikhel, Tor Chappar and Jawaki.

The commissioner told the tribal elders that restoring peace in the area was not the responsibility of army and the government only but people were also responsible for it.

He said that army would leave the area gradually but after that the tribesmen would have to unite against militancy to protect their area.

He said that destroyed schools and bridges in the area would be reconstructed soon.

The DCO administered polio drops to the children by inaugurating a three-day campaign against the crippling disease.

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