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Border Villages Rise Up Against Taliban

This process will continue, as the militants have managed to alienate themselves from the populace.

There was a time, before the Benazir murder, that many people in Pakistan spoke up for Mehsud and co., but now the mood has definitely shifted. Who the hell wants a regime which will atack the very people it is supposed to govern?

Even tribals send their sons and daughters to school, so when they see the schools being blown up or the students taken hostage, it is natural they will feel emnity towards these militants, no matter what religion they may profess.

If they see that the government is doing nothing, of course they will have to submit, albeit grudgingly.

But when the govt. and PA got into action, they realised that yes, we are not going to be abandoned by the Pak. Federation and have joined the struggle in droves.
 
Awakening is already up and running and expanding on the Pakistan side, the question is what the US can use to motivate the tribes on its side.

You're assuming that the AFghan tribals want to be awakened. They are not like the Pakistani Pakhtun Tribals.

They're used to senseless bloodshed and violence, and probably won't get to sleep without hearing the din of artillery fire and rpg's going off.
 
Tribal lashkar operations in Orakzai Agency
By Abdul Sami Paracha
Wednesday, 08 Oct, 2008

KOHAT: A tribal lashkar destroyed two houses and three training centers of the Taliban in Ali Khel area of Orakzai Agency while Hangu jirga swapped 16 militants with five security personnel on Tuesday.

An armed lashkar of all the eighteen tribes of the Orakzai Agency were carrying out operation against the active militants involved in terrorist activities in the settled areas for the last three days.

The lashkar is commanded by a 160-member committee of the tribal elders which arrests and suggests punishments for the militants and their harbourers. The militants were mostly active in the Chappar and Feroze Khel areas of the Orakzai Agency.

Meanwhile the jirga and the Taliban swapped 16 militants with five security personnel including three policemen and two army men captured and kidnapped during the Doaba operation in August last.

The security personnel handed over to the jirga head Haji Faizullah include policemen Siraj Ullah, Ahmedullah, residents of Timergara and Sharifzada of Buner district. The army personnel were identified as Ahmed Rehman and Sardar Ahmed of 35 Punjab Regiment, Abbotabad and Thall Scouts respectively.

Officials said that there were still more than 22 government employees of various department and security personnel in the custody of the Taliban who wanted the release of their all captured men whose number was round about 110. The se militants were arrested from different parts of Hangu, and Darra Adam Khel during last nine months.
 
Mass exodus from South Waziristan
By Alamgir Bhittani
Wednesday, 08 Oct, 2008

TANK: Continuous movement of the spy planes and fear of military operations have triggered mass exoduses from the Mehsud areas of the South Waziristan tribal region. Displaced families have been seen moving towards the adjacent districts and other parts of the country.

Rents of houses have shot up manifold in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan after the arrival of the displaced people. Residents said that displaced people carrying their belongings were arriving in the two adjacent districts and looking for accommodation. Many displaced families were proceeding to Hyderabad and Karachi.

Tribesmen fear that the US-led forces in Afghanistan might intensify missile attacks in the coming days while there is sign of another military operation in the region due to which they have started evacuation from the area.

Sources said that 40 per cent of the population from the Mehsud areas had vacated their houses and shifted to the settled areas of the NWFP. They said that people were in hurry and were leaving their houses.

Security forces had conducted heavy operation against Taliban in certain parts of the Mehsud tribe inhabited areas in February, destroying houses, bazaars and government buildings.

The operation had forced about 300,000 Mehsud tribesmen to leave their houses and move out to safe places. These affected families have yet to receive any compensation from the government.
 
Jirga vows to continue action against Taliban


October 08, 2008. KHAR/ISLAMABAD/HANGU: A grand jirga of Salarzai tribal elders in Bajaur Agency vowed on Tuesday to continue action against the Taliban.

The jirga decided to torch the houses of those found providing shelter to Taliban, while also imposing a fine of Rs 1 million on such people and expelling them from the agency.

Unwelcome Afghans: Meanwhile, Afghan refugees were returning to Afghanistan after officials accused them of links with Taliban and ordered them out. Bacha Khan, a police official at the Toorwandi border post in Bajaur, told AP that refugees had been crossing steadily into Afghanistan, while others had moved to other parts of Pakistan. He said an estimated 20,000 refugees had returned home in recent weeks.

An Afghan community leader in Khar, Bajaur’s main town, urged the government to provide transport to the refugees who complied with the order to leave the agency. “We are poor people, and we don’t have enough money to pay for the buses,” Ghulam Jan said.

Kunar provincial police chief Abdul Jalal Jalal said a total of 30,000 people had arrived from Pakistan.

Orakzai: Meanwhile, locals released 14 Taliban after foreigners withdrew from Orakzai Agency following negotiations with elders from Chapri Ferozkhel. staff report/ap
 
Pakistan tribal militia set fires on militants' hideouts :tup:

English_Xinhua 2008-10-10

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's tribal lashkar, or militia, on Thursday set fires on several militants's hideouts in northwestern tribal region on the Afghan border.

The lashkar in restive Bajaur tribal agency burnt down several hideouts of pro-Taliban militants in Mandal areas, the official Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

The lashkar from Mandal tribes first destroyed the militants' hideouts and later set them ablaze by pouring oil, eyewitnesses said.

The local tribes have formed lashkars consisting of hundreds of tribesmen in Bajaur agency in support of the military operation launched on Aug. 6.

Bajaur tribal agency bordering Afghanistan has become one of the militants' strongholds because the Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants kept sneaking into the Pakistani territory.

Pakistan's security forces on Wednesday killed 23 people in Bajaur tribal agency, including eight foreign militants.

Military sources said earlier that over 1,000 militants had been killed in Bajaur's military operation.
 
Fresh - hot off the presses - from Pakistan's enemies, Allah's only friends, at least they think so:


Ulema open their heart to MPs on terror
Friday, October 10, 2008

News Desk

RAWALPINDI: Religious scholars belonging to all schools of thought on Thursday passionately appealed to the members of the Parliament that military operations in the tribal areas and Swat should be stopped forthwith and criminals, anti-state elements and foreign agents should be caught with the cooperation of local religious scholars and patriotic elders of respective areas and made example by being punished publicly.

In an appeal, the religious scholars said they considered it their religious duty to help the Parliament in taking concrete decisions to steer the country out of the prevalent crises. They said that if looked at attentively, the people in the troubled regions are divided in different sections. They said that a big majority of people are peaceful and patriotic citizens. If any government flouts the religious obligations, ridicules the Islamic values or tries to impose foreign rulers or foreign ideology, they remain peaceful but extremely hate such government because such acts are intolerable for them. They said the same section of the society is bearing the brunt of the ongoing military operations.

They said that there are a large number of young people in this section of the society who are angry with the government because of the Jamia Hafsa operation, martyrdom of innocent people as well as un-Islamic and flawed Afghan policy of the government and are overwhelmed by the vindictive sentiments. They said such young people have picked up arms on seeing bodies of their near and dear ones or because of their sincerity with religion despite being prohibited by the religious scholars, who have already declared the suicide bombings illegitimate. They said such people are satiating their vengeful sentiments by shedding blood of others.

The religious scholars pointed out that when there are chaos, bombardment and infighting in an area, with the purpose of accomplishing their nefarious designs, the criminals join hands with foreign elements, national forces or disgruntled youth, who have been compelled by the situation to pick up arms. They said such criminals also have a major role in the prevailing lawlessness.

They also pointed out that the US forces, along with the allied Nato troops and Indian agencies, have been trying to conquer Afghanistan but now their own commanders and diplomats have, through statements, admitted the failure of their military pursuits. As a last resort to avoid an imminent defeat or turn into a respectable retreat, the occupation forces in Afghanistan have infiltrated their agents in the tribal areas of Pakistan with arms and different currencies. They said there are authentic reports that when some foreign agents were caught or their bodies were found, they were found uncircumcised, which proved that they were non-Muslim. They said such American and Indian agents are fighting Pakistani forces in the tribal areas in the guise of Taliban and carrying out bombings in various Pakistani cities to malign the real Taliban.

The religious scholars said that innocent Muslims are falling prey to the operations by Pakistani forces as well as attacks by drones being operated over tribal areas by the foreign troops. They said the foreign agents and criminals remain safe because of their influence, conspiracies and foreign backing and Muslims are facing the brunt.

In view of this situation, the religious scholars said, the legitimate demands of the patriotic and peaceful countrymen should be met in such a way that they are satisfied about the seriousness of the government in delivering justice and establishing peace. They demanded that all the anti-Islam policies and steps in the country must immediately be done away with. They stressed that appeasement of foreign powers should be stopped and support of the countrymen should be won by meeting all their legitimate demands to the possible extent.

The religious scholars stressed that the foreign policy should be changed and deceptive and shameful understanding with the US in its “war on terror” should be done away with at the earliest, which is in fact must for the national solidarity and security. They said that judiciary should be restored and made independent because establishment of peace without speedy justice and independent judiciary is impossible.

They said that the rampant corruption, extravagant lifestyle, vulgarity and obscenity are other factors that are contributing to the growing price-hike and economic crisis
.

Those who signed the appeal included: Maulana Muhammad Sarfaraz Khan Safdar (Shaikhul Hadith, Jamia Nusratul Aloom, Gujranwala), Maulana Salimullah Khan (Mohtamim, Jamia Farooqia, Shah Faisal Colony, Karachi), Dr Abdur Razzaq Sikandar (Mohtamim, Jamiatul Aloom Islamia, Allama Banori Town, Karachi), Mufti Muhammad Rafi Usmani, (President, Jamia Darul Aloom, Karachi), Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Vice President, Jamia Darul Aloom, Karachi), Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman (President, Tanzeemul Madaris Ahle Sunnat Pakistan, and Mohtamim, Darul Aloom Naeemia), Maulana Naeemur Rehman (Nazim-e-Ala, Wafaqul Madaris Al-Salfia Pakistan), Maulana Abdul Malik (President, Rabita-tul-Madaris Islamia Pakistan), Syed Hafiz Riaz Hussain Najafi (President, Wafaqul Madaris Shia Pakistan), Maulana Qazi Niaz Hussain Naqvi (Vice President, Wafaqul Madaris Shia Pakistan), Pir Aminul Hasnat Shah (Raees, Darul Aloom Muhammadia Ghausia, Bhera Sharif), Maulana Abdul Rehman Salfi (Ameer, Jamaat-e-Ghurba Ahle Hadith Pakistan), Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Salfi (Mudeer, Jamia Sitaria Islamia), Maulana Mahmood Ahmed Hassan (Shaikhul Hadith, Jamia Sitaria Islamia), Maulana Muhammad Ans Madani (Wakeel, Jamia Sitaria Islamia), Mufti Muhammad Idrees Salfi (Raees, Darul Ufta, Jamaat-e-Ghurba Ahle Hadith Pakistan), Maulana Ubaidullah (Mohtamim, Jamia Ashrafia, Lahore), Maulana Abdur Rehman Ashrafi (Naib Mohtamim, Jamia Ashrafia, Lahore), Qari Hanif Jallundhri (Mohtamim, Jamia Khairul Madaris, Multan), Maulana Anwarul Haq (Naib Mohtamim, Darul Aloom Haqqani, Akora Khattak), Maulana Mahmood Ashraf (Jamia Darul Aloom, Karachi), Mufti Abdul Rauf (Jamia Darul Aloom, Karachi), Syed Abdul Qaddus Tirmizi (Mohtamim, Jamia Haqqani, Sahiwal, Sargodha), Mufti Muhammad (Raees, Darul Ufta-wal-Irshad, Karachi), Mufti Azizur Rehman (Jamia Darul Aloom, Karachi), Maulana Fazal Rahim (Jamia Ashrafia, Lahore), Maulana Zahid Al-Rashdi (Jamia Nusratul Aloom, Gujranwala), Maulana Fidaur Rehman Darkhwasti (Ameer, Pakistan Shariat Council), Maulana Abdul Ghaffar (Acting Khateeb, Lal Masjid, Islamabad), Qari Arshad Ubaid (Jamia Ashrafia, Lahore), Maulana Akram Kashmiri (Jamia Ashrafia, Lahore), Maulana Muhammad Siddiq (Jamia Khairul Madaris, Multan), Mufti Abdullah (Jamia Khairul Madaris, Multan), Mufti Muhammad Tayyab (Jamia Imdadia Islamia, Faisalabad), Mufti Muhammad Zahid (Jamia Imdadia Islamia, Faisalabad) and Maulana Muhammad Yousaf (Madrissa Arbia, Gulshan Bilal, Karachi).
 
Four pro-govt tribal elders beheaded

By Anwarullah Khan

KHAR, Oct 10: Militants beheaded four kidnapped pro-government tribal elders in Charmang area of Bajaur on Friday.

Assistant Political Agent Mohammad Jamil told Dawn that Malik Dastan, Malik Jamaldar Khan, Malik Aman Gul and Malik Sana Gul were kidnapped when they were going to attend a jirga in the area.

He said their bodies were found along the road in Tangi area early in the morning. Witnesses said that militants had slit throats of the elders.They were buried here amid tension and grief in the area where anti-Taliban sentiments were growing.

Malik Hazrat Gul, an elder of Charmang, said the militants could not demoralise tribesmen through such barbaric acts. He declared that tribal lashkar would continue operation against them.

“They (militants) cannot terrify and discourage tribesmen through such cowardly acts,” he said, adding that people would eliminate militants from the area. :tup:

Sources said that militants and tribesmen clashed in Charmang on Friday after the beheading of the elders.

A jirga was also held in which it was decided to form lashkar against militants in Charmang on Saturday.

The sources said that jet fighters and helicopters pounded militants’ positions in different areas on Thursday night and Friday, killing at least seven people.

Several hideouts were hit in Mamond tehsil.

Separately, Mamond and Mandal tribesmen also destroyed houses and hideouts of the militants.

The house of militant commander Gul Zareen was torched.

Meanwhile, authorities announced that education institutions would reopen in four out of seven subdivisions of Khar on Saturday after security forces re-established writ of the government in the area.

An official said that schools and colleges in Khar, Salarzai, Barang and Utmankhel subdivisions would be opened because the areas had been secured. He said that normalcy had returned to the area.
 
Mistake. Either the others will rise against these terrorists or they will govern with hatred...
 
Mistake. Either the others will rise against these terrorists or they will govern with hatred...

I concur - this will either snowball into a decisive movement against the Taliban, or we will have lost the battle for 'hearts and minds' in the short to medium term as they cow the people with their barbarity and the Tribes throw their lot in with the Taliban.

In Iraq the barbarity of AQ drove the Sunni Tribes into supporting the US (amongst other factors) - I hope the PA steps up cooperation and dialog with the Tribes to ensure Tribal support against the militants keeps on increasing.
 
Mamoond tribe asks Taliban to surrender

KHAR/LANDIKOTAL: A tribal jirga of the Auriazai clan of Mamoond tribe in Bajaur Agency on Friday set a two-day deadline for the Taliban to surrender before a tribal lashkar. The jirga, held in Kuga area of Mamoond tehsil, told the Taliban that upon failure to leave by Sunday, a tribal lashkar would torch their houses. Meanwhile, the ongoing military action against Taliban continued and security forces targeted Nawagai and Mamoond areas, and destroyed Taliban hideouts.

The Khyber Agency administration has sent a notice to local tribal elders in Jamrud warning that in case of a failure to expel Taliban from their areas, they would have to face the consequences under the FCR. An elder said, on condition of anonymity, it was the government’s duty to control the situation and protect the people and their properties. He also showed a copy of the notice. He said the government could not be exempted from responsibility for the anarchy in the Tribal Areas. hasbanullah khan/sudhir ahmed afridi
 
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