LANDI KOTAL, Oct 29: Threats from militant groups in Khyber Agency have been hampering return of a local doctor from the United Kingdom.

The family members of the doctor say that they are in dire need of protection and financial assistance.

`My elder brother Mohammad Riaz went to Dubai after we received threatening calls and messages from militant groups operating in Khyber Agency, Fayaz Afridi, a teenage son of Dr Alif Jan Afridi, told Dawn.

A resident of Sheikhwal village in Landi Kotal, Dr Alif Jan went to UK to pursue his medical studies in early 2000.

He lef t behind his family comprising five children and wife while sending them his hardearned money to make both ends meet.

Fayaz Afridi said that unidentified gunmen kidnapped one of his cousins few months ago and released him after getting a handsome amount as ransom.

`My kidnapped cousin told us that his captors used to quiz him about my father, his profession and sources of income,`he said, adding that later he and his elder brother also received telephone calls and messages from unidentified people inquiring about their father and his return plan.

`The callers also accused my father of being a spy and working for western countries,` he said.

Mr Afridi said that their father had conveyed to them few months ago that he wanted to come back and establish a private clinic alongside taking up an official assignment at the local hospital. `It may not be possible for him now to come back and look after us,` he said in a chocked voice.

He said that his brother Riaz was sent to Dubai by his uncles where he was working as a watchman of a private warehouse. He added that he and his sisters were feeling insecure and threatened.

Mr Afridi is a student of intermediate at a local college but is unable to attend his college regularly owing to threats from militants. Correspondent