KOHAT, Oct 7: A tribal Lashkar destroyed two houses and three training centres of the Taliban in the Alikhel area of the Orakzai Agency while a jirga in Hangu swapped 16 militants with five security personnel on Tuesday.

The armed Lashkar of the 18 tribes of the Orakzai Agency has been conducting operation for the last three days against militants involved in terrorist activities in settled parts of the province.

The Lashkar is commanded by a 160-member committee of the tribal elders, which captures and suggests punishments for militants and their harbourers.

Meanwhile, the jirga and the Taliban swapped 16 militants with five security personnel -- three policemen and two army men captured and kidnapped during the Doaba operation in August.

The security personnel handed over to jirga head Faizullah included policemen Sirajullah and Ahmadullah of Timergara and Sharifzada of Buner and army men Ahmad Rehman and Sardar Ahmad of the 35 Punjab Regiment, Abbottabad, and the Thall Scouts, respectively.

Officials said there were still more than 22 government employees of various department and security personnel in the custody of the Taliban, who wanted the release of all their captured men whose number was about 110. These militants had been arrested from different parts of Hangu, and Darra Adamkhel during the last nine months.

Opinion

Editorial

Ending rabies
25 Apr, 2025

Ending rabies

RABIES remains one of Pakistan’s most deadly, yet neglected public health crises. Across the country, hundreds die...
Wheat worries
25 Apr, 2025

Wheat worries

PUNJAB’S farmers are enraged. They are not getting what they call a fair price for their wheat harvest this year...
Pahalgam attack
Updated 24 Apr, 2025

Pahalgam attack

Pakistan must proceed with caution and prepare a calm yet firm response to India’s allegations, and threats.
New IMF projection
24 Apr, 2025

New IMF projection

THE downgrading of the IMF’s growth forecast for Pakistan by 40bps to 2.6pc is perturbing, especially considering...
Stranded goods
24 Apr, 2025

Stranded goods

AS controversy over the new canals continues to rage, traders across the country have begun raising the alarm over...