| Submit your comments on this article |
| Afghanistan/South Asia |
| Tribesmen to hunt Al Qaeda helpers |
| 2004-03-08 |
| EFL: In a major development on Sunday, tribesmen from the largest tribe in South Waziristan agreed to launch hundreds of their armed men to track down key suspects harbouring Al Qaeda remnants and hand them over to the government, a senior official said. According to the decision brokered by five senators from Fata, the Zalikhel tribesmen would constitute a force of tribal volunteers of nearly 600 people and send them on the trail of five key suspects on Monday. Hunting season now open. Authorities had identified the five suspects, all from the Zalikhel tribe, at the Jirga which would now look for them, catch them and turn them over to the government for questioning. They are Haji Sharif and his brother Noor Islam, Maulavi Nek Muhammad, Maulavi Abbas and Maulavi Aziz. The five have been avoiding the arrest. Attempts by the authorities to catch them through a tribal lashkar in the past had met with no success. Officials said their failure in capturing the five individuals was the result of Zalikhels’ own foot-dragging on the issue. "Zalikhels have not been cooperating. Now, for the first time, they say they will go after these people and catch them for us. This is no small development," Mr Azam Khan said. If it works, yes. Officials said the arrests last week of some influential Zalikhel tribesmen appeared to have made the tribe change its mind. The Jirga demanded that their elders be set free before they could initiate their own operation against the wanted men, Mr Azam Khan said. "But we let it be conveyed to them that they would be freed only if the lashkar showed results in apprehending those wanted to us," he said. Explained the principle of "Cause and Effect". The Jirga also sought relaxation in the ban on carrying of arms by their lashkar and the official said their demand had been accepted. "Those carrying arms while accompanying the lashkar should tie a red piece of cloth round their rifles," the administrator said. Sources report a run on red cloth at local K-Mart. Agencies add: The Jirga decided that if any local tribesman provided shelter to any foreigner, his house would be demolished and a fine of one million rupees would be imposed on him. Cause-Effect 101 "We will not allow our territory to become Iraq or Afghanistan," Senator Afridi said. Some 10,000 Wazir tribesman attended the Jirga. "We hope that after today’s Jirga the government will stop military operation in the area," Senator Ajmal Khan told reporters. "Save your region from destruction for a handful of people," tribal leader and Senator Tahir told the Jirga. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #1 More like somebody finallyn decided to open up the pocketbook. The Waziris EXPECT to be bribed, it's sorta their tradition... |
| Posted by: mojo 2004-3-8 11:46:34 AM |