The federal government has ordered a crackdown on an unnamed group led by Maulvi Shahzada Khan in Northern Areas for its alleged involvement in terrorist activities.
The Northern Areas are a sparsely populated region dominated by Shias, including followers of the Aga Khan. Since anti-government riots in the 80âs, there have been increasing numbers of (Sunni) Pashtun tribesmen settled there, which has lead to much seething and resentment.
âIntelligence agencies have warned the government that the group could resort to terrorist activities at any place at any time,â sources told Daily Times. They said the groupâs links with Jaish e-Muhammad, Tehrik-Nifaz-e-Shariat-Muhammadi (TNSM) and other banned jihadi organisations had been established and âits links with Al Qaeda cannot be ruled outâ, the sources added. âMaulvi Shahzada Khanâs interrogation may lead to the arrest of some extremist elements,â sources quoted a government order to law enforcement agencies and the Northern Areas administration. They added that the Pakistan Army recently raided Mr Khanâs training camp suspecting him of links with Al Qaeda, but found nothing because the trainees had fled.
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Sources said that Maulvi Shahzada Khan, the son of Shah Sultan of village Rim Sheikh, Tehsil Tangir in District Diamer, had allegedly been imparting military training and had links with jihadi and pro-Taliban elements. Sources said according to the investigation by law enforcement agencies, the group played a leading role during the invasion of Shia localities by a tribal Lashkar in Gilgit in 1988. âThe illegal activities of Mr Khan range from getting military training himself in Miran Shah in the North West Frontier Province to setting up a military training centre at village Rim Sheikh in 1997-98 under the Harkatul Mujahideen. Over 300 persons from Northern Areas and other parts in Pakistan were trained by him in suicide bombing and attacks with grenades and firearms,â the sources added. Sources said that he remained in close contact with the Jaish leadership and leaders of (Harkatul) Jihadi-e-Islami. âHe frequently visited a training camp at Shawal in Balakot and was closely associated with Qari Saifullah, a Jihad-e-Islami leader, to get financial aid and arms from him,â the sources said. |