Following a warning from Taliban-linked militant group Lashkar-e-Islam, around 500 officials of the Khasadar force failed to report for duty in Khyber Agency on Friday, a senior official said.LI chief Mangal Bagh, who reportedly has ties to the Taliban, in an FM radio broadcast threatened lawmakers, army and paramilitary troops in the region that whoever did not resign would see their houses demolished and suffer other harsh penalties.
Hours after the speech on Thursday, Taliban blew up three houses belonging to khasadars to terrorise its members, residents said. "Some 500 khasadars abdicated their duties today," Khyber Agency political Agent Tariq Hayat said. "We have given them 24 hours notice, and if they fail to report by Saturday afternoon their services will be terminated," he added.
Taliban spokesman Zar Khan confirmed that Mangal Bagh issued the warning and charged that the military operation targeted "innocent residents".