The Ahmadzai Wazir Lashkar that reached Azam Warsak, 15 kilometres from here on Monday to carry out a search for foreign militants, failed to find any foreigner. Armed with rocket-launchers, missiles, hand grenades and automatic weapons, looking very fearsome, indeed, the Lashkar on Tuesday combed the area but failed to find any foreigner. The Lashkar abandoned further operation till today (Wednesday).
| "Nope. None here. Let's go get lunch!" |
Addressing the Lashkar, the 36-member reconciliatory committee member Allah Khan and Khadin said the foreigners, if hiding in the area, should leave the area to save the people from the danger of military operation. They said the Shakai Agreement was in the interest of the people of South Waziristan Agency and it would be implemented at all costs. The Lashkar after search operation in Azam Warsak would leave for Raghzai and then for Shakai, they said. They reiterated that no concession would be made with foreigners hiding in the area and they would be expelled or forced to register their names with the relevant authorities. However, they said the foreigners have left the area after the Shakai Agreement and any one found would be arrested and handed over to the authorities. AP adds: The chief of a 4,000-strong tribal force warned of "stern action" against any tribesmen sheltering foreign militants.
The warning came amid signs that the Pakistan Army is preparing for a possible military operation in South Waziristan unless suspected al-Qaeda men in the region take up a government offer of amnesty. The Lashkar is charged with getting any foreigners there to register with the authorities. Allah Khan, the chief of the Lashkar, told inhabitants at Azam Warsak village where his force assembled on Tuesday that they faced "stern action under tribal laws" if they host any foreigners. "We will demolish homes of those people who shelter them," he said. "Any such violator will also be fined Rs 1 million." However, people in Azam Warsak told Khan that "foreigners" had left the area after a major military operation in March and moved to unknown locations. |