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| India-Pakistan |
| Tinted vehicles banned in Waziristan |
| 2007-02-17 |
| A new initiative to ban tinted windows has been launched in North Waziristan to “strengthen” the September 5 accord between the government and pro-Taliban militants, said a senior cleric said Friday. Maulvi Gul Ramzan said a “major decision” had been made to launch a campaign against vehicles with tinted windows from Friday. Tinted vehicles are frequently used in attacks. In Mir Ali, one of North Waziristan’s main towns, local Taliban set about taking off black plastic paper from the windows of around 150 vehicles, including some owned by foreigners. “We all are making fresh efforts to strengthen the accord and restore peace in Waziristan,” the cleric told Daily Times over the telephone. Vehicles with tinted windows were being driven in the area both by militants and others, leading to a sense of insecurity among ordinary tribesmen. The move comes amidst growing concerns that with the start of an expected spring offensive by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the US and NATO forces might hit Waziristan in retaliation if pro-Taliban militants continued using Pakistani soil against them. According to sources, the new initiative was launched following the government’s threat that attacks like the one on January 22 near Mir Ali would not be tolerated and North Waziristan was likely to face military action if the accord was not implemented properly. “With the expected spring offensive in Afghanistan, there is increasing concern among ordinary tribesmen that North Waziristan may return to bloody clashes it faced in 2006,” tribal elders told to Daily Times. Maulvi Ramzan said various jirgas had been held over the last two days to deliberate on fresh initiatives to strengthen the accord. He denied that foreign militants were taking shelter in North Waziristan. The tribal elders said that the January 22 suicide attack on military convoy near Mir Ali was a “serious setback” to the accord and the signatories of the deal were warned of serious consequences if it did not stop. Ramzan said the Mir Ali attack was being investigated. Militant commander Baitullah Mehsud has vowed to avenge a military airstrike in Zamazola, South Waziristan. “Baitullah Mehsud does not belong to North Waziristan, so we have no business with him,” said Ramzan. |
| Posted by:Fred |