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Troops Block Wana in Terror Hunt
Paramilitary troops blocked roads to this remote Pakistani town Sunday and imposed "economic sanctions" against local tribesmen after they failed to help authorities to register foreign militants believed to be hiding in the region. An army spokesman warned that a military operation would be launched in South Waziristan, of which Wana is the main town, unless tribesmen started to cooperate. Hundreds of Arab, Afghan and Central Asian militants believed to be linked with al-Qaida and the Taliban militia are suspected to be living in the region, which borders Afghanistan. Heavily-armed soldiers in armored cars patrolled deserted bazaars in Wana and roads leading up to the town were blocked. Local journalists had to prove their identities to be allowed in. Sharp shooters had taken up positions on shop rooftops. Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan said authorities had closed shops as "economic sanctions" against tribesmen. He described this as part of a "step-by-step" approach to get them to help in registration of the suspected militants. "If they do not come down to the government stance, there is going to be a military operation," Sultan told The Associated Press in the capital Islamabad. He wouldn't say when that operation might begin.Posted by: Fred 2004-05-31 |
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