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Mehsud militants agree to leave NWA
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
By Mushtaq Yusufzai
PESHAWAR: Following successful talks between Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Hakimullah Mahsud-led banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Mahsud militants along with some Punjabi Taliban have finally started leaving North Waziristan for the adjoining South Waziristan tribal region.
Tribesmen were astonished when they saw markets in Miramshah, the principal town of North Waziristan, and Mir Ali, the second major town, almost deserted as the Taliban were conspicuous by their absence.
“Almost 98 per cent of the Mahsud militants along with some Punjabi Taliban have left North Waziristan. Before leaving, announcements were made from loudspeakers in mosques of various villages by the Mahsud Taliban to thank the tribespeople of North Waziristan for their cooperation and assistance to the displaced Mahsud militants,†said a source close to the North Waziristan Taliban leader Hafiz Gul Bahadur. According to sources, Hafiz Gul Bahadur and his shura or council was upset over the deteriorating law and order situation in North Waziristan as it felt it was posing serious threat to regional security.
The sources said the government and military authorities had made it clear to Hafiz Gul Bahadur and his men to choose between the military operation or expulsion of Mahsud and Punjabi Taliban from North Waziristan. The sources said a committee was later formed which held extensive talks with the Mahsud Taliban to apprise them about the potential danger for the people of North Waziristan due to their presence there.
The Jirga also conveyed apprehensions of the people of North Waziristan caused by reports about the looming military operation in the region and appealed to them to leave their area before the government could launch any action.
The Taliban Jirga also informed the Mahsud militant commanders about their peace accord with the government and told them they would not like it to be violated. Hakimullah Mahsud and his deputy Waliur Rahman were reported to have accepted Hafiz Gul Bahadur’s request and decided to leave North Waziristan.
“Most of them went to Shaktoi and Makeen in South Waziristan where they had their sanctuaries in the forest-covered mountains. In summer, militants can easily survive in the mountains but the security forces might face tough resistance there,†said a Taliban source.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010By Mushtaq Yusufzai
PESHAWAR: Following successful talks between Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Hakimullah Mahsud-led banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Mahsud militants along with some Punjabi Taliban have finally started leaving North Waziristan for the adjoining South Waziristan tribal region.
Tribesmen were astonished when they saw markets in Miramshah, the principal town of North Waziristan, and Mir Ali, the second major town, almost deserted as the Taliban were conspicuous by their absence.
“Almost 98 per cent of the Mahsud militants along with some Punjabi Taliban have left North Waziristan. Before leaving, announcements were made from loudspeakers in mosques of various villages by the Mahsud Taliban to thank the tribespeople of North Waziristan for their cooperation and assistance to the displaced Mahsud militants,†said a source close to the North Waziristan Taliban leader Hafiz Gul Bahadur. According to sources, Hafiz Gul Bahadur and his shura or council was upset over the deteriorating law and order situation in North Waziristan as it felt it was posing serious threat to regional security.
The sources said the government and military authorities had made it clear to Hafiz Gul Bahadur and his men to choose between the military operation or expulsion of Mahsud and Punjabi Taliban from North Waziristan. The sources said a committee was later formed which held extensive talks with the Mahsud Taliban to apprise them about the potential danger for the people of North Waziristan due to their presence there.
The Jirga also conveyed apprehensions of the people of North Waziristan caused by reports about the looming military operation in the region and appealed to them to leave their area before the government could launch any action.
The Taliban Jirga also informed the Mahsud militant commanders about their peace accord with the government and told them they would not like it to be violated. Hakimullah Mahsud and his deputy Waliur Rahman were reported to have accepted Hafiz Gul Bahadur’s request and decided to leave North Waziristan.
“Most of them went to Shaktoi and Makeen in South Waziristan where they had their sanctuaries in the forest-covered mountains. In summer, militants can easily survive in the mountains but the security forces might face tough resistance there,†said a Taliban source.
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