Leaflets against militants airdropped in Waziristan
Two different pamphlets urging foreign guests, a reference to Al Qaeda and Taliban militants, to leave the tribal areas, and calling on the tribal people to join government forces, were airdropped in North Waziristan on Saturday in what appears to be a campaign to win hearts and minds.
Residents said the pamphlets, written in Urdu, were airdropped in Miranshah and Mir Ali. One of them was issued by Pakistani and Saudi clerics while the second pamphlet was issued by Waziristans hosts (local people).
A one-page pamphlet titled You were my guests obtained by Daily Times, read, Please leave my home and my country so that we can live peacefully.
Because of you [foreign militants], I am in trouble. My house is under attack and family members are dying and wounded because of you, the pamphlet read. You [foreign militants] are using my soil and you are spreading unrest in my area and country.
The second pamphlet, containing religious decrees against militancy, said a conspiracy was hatched to start an unending war between the tribal people and security forces, which would harm both sides at the end.
The enemies of Islam and Pakistan will achieve four objectives by making the tribal people and the government forces fight against each other. Their objectives are: to malign Islam and Pakistan, damage the countrys credibility, reduce the strength of tribesmen and the government forces and pit one against the other.
Saudi cleric: The pamphlet also quoted Saudi Mufti-e-Azam Sheikh Abdul Aziz as warning Muslim youths against elements instigating false jihad.
The distribution of pamphlets comes days after operation Al Mizan against foreign militants in the Mir Ali area earlier this month in which around 200 militants, including 50 foreigners, were killed besides a number of civilians and troops. Separately, two Frontier Corps personnel were injured late on Friday after a rocket attack on a telephone exchange in Miranshah.
Posted by: Fred 2007-10-28 |