Forty wanted tribesmen, including four clerics, from the Shakai region surrendered to the authorities in Wana on Monday as the government claimed to have killed three foreigners suspected to be Uzbeks and wounded six others in continued crossfire in the Santoi and Mantoi areas of South Waziristan Agency. The political administration in Wana called the surrender of 40 wanted tribesmen a "major breakthrough". FATA Security Chief Brig (r) Mehmood Shah hoped the remaining wanted men would follow suit. Out of 40 surrendered tribesmen four were clerics, Maulana Deen Salam, Maulana Salah Jan, Maulana Jehangir Khan and Maulana Muhammadullah. "They all surrendered unconditionally," a senior administration official told Daily Times by phone from Wana.
"We quit! Don't shoot!"
"Drop the Korans and come out witcher hands up!" |
However, educated group leader Nisar Wazir demanded immediate lifting of economic sanctions against the Ahmedzai Wazir tribe and removal of Chief Administrator Asmatullah Gandapur. Brig Shah promised to consider his first demand but rejected the second one.
"I cannot say the killed and wounded were Uzbeks, but they were foreigners," military spokesman Maj Gen Shaukat Sultan told Daily Times on the phone from Rawalpindi.
| "I thought they mighta been Esquimeaux, but they didn't have any mukluks..." |
However, he denied casualties on army side in Dhand area of Shakai region. The spokesman said military activities in Mantoi and Santoi began early Sunday morning were still continued. Asked if the army was using gunship helicopters in the operation ever the last eight to 10 days, Maj Gen Sultan said, "The security forces are using all weapons necessary to hunt down militants in the area."
Residents in Wana said they saw gunship and transport helicopters flying back and forth to the west of the town. The army also pounded suspected militant hideouts in the mountains with artillery, residents added. A government source said two civilians were also killed in the crossfire between soldiers and unidentified militants, but there was no official confirmation of casualties. Tribal sources said two army jawans died and three were injured during skirmishes in Dhand in Shakai. But the military spokesman denied this. |