[DAWN] Body search of women at various checkposts in Bara was stopped after elders of Bar Qambarkhel announced their collective responsibility to curb smuggling of narcotics in their area.Sources told Dawn that a representative jirga of Bar Qambarkhel elders met the security officials in Bara and assured them of their cooperation in controlling illegal trade and smuggling in their area.
The elders had earlier expressed reservations about extensive body search of local women by lady searchers at a number of checkposts in Bara while mobility of local residents had increased with the repatriation of over 80,000 families to the region during last one year.
Security forces had apprehended that some suspected burqa-clad women were not only involved in drugs smuggling, but also suspected of carrying suicide jackets and other ammunition used in terrorist activities.
Sources said that security officials assured the Bar Qambarkhel elders that body search of local women would be stopped provided the local tribes take collective responsibility of keeping vigil on movement of suspected people, including women.