 |
 |
 |
| Sunday February 07, 2010 |
|
Bara lawlessness Lawlessness in Bara tehsil of the tribal Khyber Agency took an ugly turn on Friday when anti-social elements attacked and partially damaged a grid station, a government installation meant for the public usefulness. As a result, power supply to the neighbouring areas was suspended. The militants also carried out an attack on the main FC camp which did not cause any damage. In response to the provocation, security forces launched a search operation and rounded up a key militant commander from the Al-Haaj Market. In a related incident of violence, unidentified but trigger-happy gun men on a motorbike shot dead Ali Gul who was owner of the privately-run Gul Public School in Shalobar. Son of local Pushto poet late Sanab Gul alias Joshi, the murdered teacher was standing outside the school building when the gunmen struck. This was the third incident of target killing during the span of a month in the area. Earlier, in separate but identical attacks in Bazgarh and Yousuf Talaab, two other persons had already been shot dead. The ongoing military operation in various parts of the Khyber Agency has no doubt cleared most of the areas of anti-social elements but still in order to make their presence felt the remnants of militants here and there resort to hit-and-run tactics. The law-breakers naturally want the present state of lawlessness to persist so that they can continue their nefarious activities to engage the security forces. Peace-loving and law-abiding local residents have developed resentment against militants as their presence in the area has caused innumerable hardships to the common people. With shops, schools and hospitals closed, life in the wintry weather has really become hard for the poor and the dispossessed that come under pressure both from the government and the militants’ sides. In cooperation with the security forces, the people will hopefully bring normalcy to the area. |