Rivals join hands for peace in Tirah

LANDI KOTAL: Two rival groups in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency have entered a secret deal for what they call restoration of peace in Tirah and Bara-Kajorai area of the tribal region, according to sources. Sources privy to the clandestine negotiations between Amr Bil Maroof wa Nahi Anil Munkir and Khujalkhel sub-tribe of Bar Qambarkhel said that both the groups agreed on a verbal peace deal. The talks were held at the residence of Haji Mohammad, leader of Khujalkhel tribe, in Bara Qambarkhel area few days ago, they said. Sources said that Amr Bil Maroof leader Haji Niaz Gul had gone to Bar Qambarkhel area to enquire after the health of ailing Haji Mohammad. During the meeting they agreed to work together for restoring peace in Bara and Tirah valley. Sources said that residents of the area were surprised to know about the peace deal between the former foes as the two had fought some fierce battles against each other during which both groups had lost nearly 48 supporters. The Khujalkhel tribe had in the past restricted entry of all Amr Bil Maroof activists into its areas in Tirah including Khujalkhel Thambu, Narhaw and Lar Bagh. The leaders of the both the groups had levlled serious allegations against each other as they also had differences over the observance of religious rituals. Both the groups remained at loggerheads from 2004 to early 2009 during which they were involved in sporadic clashes, resulting in the killing and injuring of each other supporters. Both the groups were also involved in torching the houses of each other supporters. The Khujalkhel sub-tribe had maintained its neutrality during hostilities between Lashkar-i-Islam and Ansaarul Islam but it was compelled to leave its base of Lar Bagh when Taliban took control of the area. They also resisted government pressure in the recent past regarding raising peace lashkar against Taliban after security forces launched an operation in Bagh Maidan area. The secret deal, however, has annoyed some of the diehard supporters of both the groups as they were not taken into confidence regarding such an important matter. It was also learnt that some important members of Amr Bil Maroof have distanced themselves from the deal though they refused to speak openly against it. Officials of political administration, when contacted, expressed ignorance about the deal.