Pro-government elders held hostages by Taliban in the restive Mohmand Agency of Pakistan

GHALANAI: Local Taliban of Mohmand tribal region on Thursday have held several tribal elders as hostages in their houses in tehsil Pindiali after they facilitated a joint visit of the Political Agent and FC Commandant to the Danishkol area of that tehsil on Wednesday morning to ensure the writ of government, sources told. They told Taliban arrived at the houses of the prominent Maliks and elders just after the authorities concluded the tour of tehsil Pindiali. Notable elders namely Malik Said Mehmood Jan, Malik Ilum Khan, Malik Waris Khan, Malik Narai, Malik Ismail Sher and Malik Tehmash Khan were immediately taken hostages by Taliban punishing them for their alleged assistance of Political Authorities to establish their writ in the area being considered a safe heaven for them that seemed a hard blow for the militants’ organizational strength. It was the first move of Taliban after the arrest of seven Taliban and death of several others in the last two days. It is pertinent to mention that more than 200 pro-government Maliks and elders have been killed or blown up by bombers in the restive tribal region so far. The most recent incidents were the beheading of six Maliks in Bajaur and 110 death toll of Orakzai Agency when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-packed vehicle inside a jirga of elders devising strategy of Lashkar against Taliban.