KHAAR, March 29: Tarkani tribesmen have assured the political authorities of Bajaur Agency of their cooperation in maintaining peace in the area. The assurance came from elders of the tribe during a meeting with Assistant Political Agent Arshad Naveed at Civil Colony here on Thursday. The meeting was held in connection with investigation into Tuesday’s killing of an ISI official and three others.

The official expressed concern over the tribesmen’s inability to prevent the incident.

He said the attackers’ escape showed non-cooperation on the part of tribesmen. He said it was the responsibility of the tribal people to cooperate with the authorities in arresting the killers.

The authorities have arrested one Said Karim in connection with the killing. Officials said the attackers had parked their motorbikes near his home on the day of the incident.

Mr Naveed said that under the Frontier Crimes Regulations and the recent agreement between tribesmen and the political authorities, it was obligatory upon the tribes to maintain peace and play their role in eradicating terrorism. He said the tribesmen were required to act against elements carrying out acts of sabotage and cooperate with the authorities in arresting such elements.

Mr Naveed asked the tribesmen to keep strict vigil on suspect elements entering the agency and inform the local administration about their presence to enable it to act swiftly.

The elders, including Mian Zahir Shah and Malik Mohammad Qasim, said local people were not involved in Tuesday’s killing; it had been carried out by outsiders.

They suggested that the administration should convene a meeting of imams of mosques and ask them to make announcements on loudspeakers if they saw any suspects in their localities. The official said such a meeting would be held in a couple of days.