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20 al-Qaeda arrested in NWFP
The tribal administration and Mamond tribesmen have arrested 20 suspected Al Qaeda men and their supporters during a joint search operation in Mamond sub-division, near the Pak-Afghan border. Hundreds of tribesmen and jawans of Bajaur Levies were combing the area. The operation was started after the administration had received information about the presence of Al Qaeda men and many Afghans in the area who allegedly had remained associated with the toppled Taliban regime. Sources said the houses of seven tribesmen, who had provided shelter to some Afghans, were torched by the administration. Initially, the Mamond tribesmen had refused to help the government in its operation, and it was decided only Pakistan Army, Bajaur Levies and Scouts would conduct the searching. Later on, the tribal elders decided to join the operation with the condition that the US and Pakistani troops would not participate in it. Meaning the guys that were actually turned over are low-level cannon fodder, people the locals don't like, and local trouble-makers Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2002-07-25 |
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