Local officials have denied reports that a group of armed men is living in the border area between Sindh and Balochistan at Marri Hills.
| "No, no! Certainly not! They're... ummm... simple, but well-armed woodcutters." |
More than 200 Talibs men armed with automatic weapons have reportedly taken up position in the border area near Mari-Hill in the Tumman Buzdar territory. They are reportedly collecting food and weapons and have offered jobs to locals. Reliable sources said the group of men has constructed tunnels and trenches and hide whenever law-enforcement agencies are near. District Police Officer Deharki Muhammad Aftab Halipota denied the reports, saying that families were living in the area and police were watching them to make sure they did not do anything illegal.
| "Ain't no law against diggin' a few tunnels..." |
âGossips have spread the news that some Taliban or Al Qaeda men took refuge in the border area of Punjab at Marri Hills near the Jacobabad Air Base, but there is no truth to these rumours. The fact is that about 200 families took refuge in the Marri Hills and they belong to the Nawab Kher Bakhjsdh Marri group,â he said. Political official Ikramullah Khan added that, âSome activists of Balochistan National Movement moved to Tumman Buzdar two or three months ago but law-enforcement agencies forced them to leave. Now they have come back again with their other relatives and friends. They moved to this area with the consent of the Tumman Buzadar and their activities are not unlawful.â |