PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) - Militants loyal to Pakistan's top Taliban leader killed 22 pro-government tribesmen after abducting them during battles to control a town near the Afghan border, officials said Wednesday. The bloodsoaked, trussed-up bodies were found dumped near the key garrison town of Jandola, where followers of shadowy Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud have been fighting rival tribesmen throughout the week. The killings underscore concerns among Islamabad's Western allies about the government's peace talks with Mehsud, who was blamed by the previous administration for the assassination of ex-premier Benazir Bhutto in December.
Yeah, he sounds like a guy ya can deal with.
| Does seem if the current gummint has forgiven him for whacking Benazir, doesn't it. Almost as if they didn't care ... |
Hmmmmmmm. Doesn't sound like like the peace committee is working out too well.
'Some of the dead were shot and some had their throats slit,' Marwat said, adding that they were among some 30 tribesmen kidnapped by the militants a day earlier. The men's hands were tied behind their backs and the corpses left in a drain by a roadside, security officials said.
Sounds like a fair fight...
A spokesman for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the militant group that Mehsud heads, claimed responsibility for killing the 22 and said they would soon decide the fate of the other eight. 'The men we killed were involved in thefts and robbery and had unleashed a reign of terror on the people. They were being patronised by the government,' spokesman Maulvi Omar told AFP by telephone.
Cuz...we say so.
'The government should not intervene in the current situation, otherwise peace talks would be seriously undermined.'
So let us do our killing...or there'll be no peace talks.
Clashes broke out in Jandola on Monday between followers of pro-government tribal elder, Commander Turkistani, and militants belonging to Mehsud's tribe after rockets were fired at the home of a peace committee member. Tensions had been high between the groups for months.
Yes, it sounds like it.
The army said the militants had withdrawn from Jandola after troops moved in late Tuesday. It put the death toll from all of the violence in the region over the past week at only nine.
Just nine. Nuthin to see here...
Residents said the situation was tense in Jandola and armed militants were still in the town, although Pakistani troops were also in position in their forts.
Where I'm sure they practice looking fearsome. And vigilant.
All shops were closed and roads were deserted.
It's quiet out there.
Yeah. Too quiet...
Pakistan's government launched peace talks with Mehsud -- who is based in the South Waziristan tribal region, near Jandola -- after defeating allies of US-backed President Pervez Musharraf in elections in February.
Can we have peace today, Mehsud?
No!
Okay, we'll come back tomorrow.
Mehsud, named along with Pakistan's army chief in Time Magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people this year,
Well, that figures...
vowed recently to continue attacks on NATO and US forces in Afghanistan.
Well, his boys will. He'll stay back there in the Wazoo and remain 'shadowy', seeing how he's an 'idea man' and all...
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani held a meeting with top civil and military officials on the law and order situation in the country.
Harrrumph harrruph harrrumph harrrumph. Hey, I didn't get a harrrumph outta him!
An official statement later said the meeting decided to fight 'terrorism and extremism' through a multi-pronged strategy.
Duck. Dodge. Hide. Run away.
'The broad objective of this strategy will be to bring about peace, reconciliation and normalcy of life in the country and marginalise the hard core terrorists, militants and criminal elements,' it said.
Ask the members of the 'peace committee' how that's working out.
The government, including the military, will ensure that 'all foreign fighters will be expelled' from Pakistan.
Probably to Afghanistan.