Tribesmen urged to cooperate the security forces

KHYBER AGENCY: The security forces officials Wednesday urged the tribal people to get unite against terrorism and celebrate the Pakistan’s Independence Day with great zeal and enthusiasm.

All this said by the outgoing Khyber Rifle (KR) Commandant, Colonel Mansur Janjua here in Landikotal while speaking to his farewell party organized on the completion of his tenure as Landikotal commandant Khyber Rifles.

A large number of elders from Sinwari,Zakhakhel,Kukikhel,Mulagori and Shalmani,local journalists,and officials of the Landikotal attended the party.

Col, Mansur praised the past sacrifices of the tribal people said that their  sacrifices rendered for the sake of unity and integrity of Pakistan would not be wasted. He said hundreds of tribal people including women,children and youth lost their lives during the 1965 and 1971 wars.

Col, Mansur said the ongoing terror war was not their personal war but the security forces were fighting to protect the lives and properties of innocent Pakistani citizens.

“When people of Landikotal compellingly pay extortion money and their children are being killed then the security forces will come forward to fight and protect the life and property of people”, said the official. He said the ongoing military actions across Fata was aimed to maintain peace and prosperity in the area and establish writ of government as whole.

Col, Janjua said that war against terrorism was fought to maintain peace and curb anti-social and anti-state elements from the society. He said around forty thousands people including  Pakistan’s Army soldiers and hundreds of civilians had been given away their lives for the sake of homeland. And added that their sacrifices would not go wasted.

Mansur Janjua urged the tribal people and civil society to cooperate the security forces and other law enforcing agencies to end the decade long militancy and bring back prosperity and development to Pakistan.

The outgoing commandant also thanked the tribesmen and Landikotal assistant political Agent Muhammad Tayyab Abdullah for their full cooperation and coordination with him during his one year long tenure in Landikotal.

Similarly, the newly posted Khyber Rifles commandant, Colonel Tariq Hafeez also addressed the gathering and said along with the security forces it was the prime responsibility of the tribesmen to use their efforts for the sake of peaceful life in the area. He requested the tribe elders to be united against the enemy who disrupt the peaceful atmosphere of Landikotal. Tariq said when people get united no evil could be succeeded to harm them.

Col Hafeez said the security forces would respect the tribal Jirga and all actions would be accomplished after creating mutual understanding between the local administration, local elders and the security forces.

Col Hafeez  vowed that sanctity of the four walls of the tribal people’s homes would be violated during raids and targeted operation against militants in the area.  He said they would first negotiate with the tribal elders and the political administration of Landikotal before taking actions.

Tribal elders, Malik Darya Khan Zakhakhel, Malik Hukam Shinwari,Malik Abdur Razaq Afridi, Former agency councilor Hazrat Wali Kukikhel and Malik Haji Wakeel Shalmani also spoke on the occasion and vowed their full cooperation with security forces to bring peace and development in Landikotal. The elders said that the forces should not violate Pakhtun tradition keeping in mind tribal culture and respect women and elderly people during search and military actions. They urged that local elders must be taken onboard before taking any action in the area.