Islamabad: Taliban have taken to airwaves to issue warnings to people of restive NWFP against supporting Pakistani security forces in their crackdown against them.
Clandestine Taliban radio stations are issuing diktats
to the people abide by the new code of conduct their leaders
have proclaimed which tells it's fighters to limit suicide
attacks and avoid killing civilians.
Tow militant commanders Maulvi Ikramullah and Maulvi
Malakpuri, who emerged recently in Mardan district, have been
making illegal broadcasts every day in which they threaten
people "defying" the Taliban code of life and backing the
security forces.
The two commanders appear to be leading the Taliban
fighters who surround Mardan district and have been involved
in recent attacks and killings of police officials, The News
daily reported today.
Despite the army's claims of significant successes in
its operations against the Taliban in Malakand division, the
region has witnessed a surge in violence in recent days. The
army says it has gunned down over 1,700 militants in the
offensive but no senior Taliban commander has been killed or
captured.
Ikramullah, who is the imam of a mosque in Mardan,
regularly delivers sermons during Friday congregations. He
often tells congregations that the Taliban have asked him to
direct local traders to close their businesses during Friday
prayers or else they will be bombed.
Malakpuri, a "FM radio preacher" for the militants, is
active in the Palai Sherkhani area of Mardan and warns people
who defy the Taliban’s agenda of reprisals. He also heads a
group of about 70 Taliban fighters.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Akhtar Ali
Shah said he had directed his force to monitor the activities
of Ikramullah, who is becoming popular among the youth.
Local residents believe the Taliban entered Mardan
district in the guise of displaced people fleeing Buner, Dir
and Swat districts after the military launched operations in
those areas. They think these Taliban fighters are now
regrouping in Mardan to challenge the authorities.
Police officials and members of a tribal peace
committee are scheduled to meet tomorrow to take stock of the
situation and to draw up a plan to counter the activities of
the Taliban in Mardan. Syed Kamal Shah, the convenor of the
peace committee, said the people of Mardan would not
capitulate to the militants.
The people are "armed and ready to teach the Taliban a
real lesson," Shah said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Saturday, August 01, 2009, 14:41