Tribal elders, religious scholars and influential people from Khyber Agency have warned of blocking logistic supplies for United States and NATO troops stationed in Afghanistan if they continued attacking villages in the tribal belt. "Only civilians are being killed and maimed in unwarranted attacks from across the border while those wanted to the US have stayed unscathed so far," said elders from the Kooki Khel tribe of the agency connecting Peshawar with Afghanistan.Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, tribal elders Malik Israrullah, Taj Mahal advocate, Malik Juma Gul and Haji Barak praised the government's stance after the recent US airstrikes in the Tribal Areas. They said they were encouraged by the army chief's statement that the country's sovereignty would be protected at all cost.
The Kooki Khel tribe inhabits Jamrud and parts of Landi Kotal sub-division of Khyber Agency. Most food and other logistic supplies destined for the US and NATO bases in Afghanistan are transported through this mountainous route leading from Peshawar to Torkham. The tribesmen did not give a specific deadline for the blockade of the route. "We shall look towards the government before setting a deadline," said Israrullah.
About their earlier demand of army withdrawal from the Tribal Areas, Haji Barak said the situation had changed with the arrival of an elected government. Taj Mahal advocate said the elders would make the Tribal Areas a graveyard of American troops if the US forces attacked Pakistani territories.