A 1,200-strong tribal lashkar (army) will start an operation today (Tuesday) to either get foreign militants in the tribal areas to register or expel them from South Waziristan Agency as a senior administration official on Monday did not rule out force against the militants mainly from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Chechnya and some Arab countries.
According to Associated Press, Federally Administered Tribal Areas Security Chief Brig (r) Mehmood Shah on Monday said the Pakistan Army had deployed fresh troops in the tribal areas for possible military action after the foreign militants hiding there had failed to accept an amnesty offer. The lashkar will travel to the Azam Warsak area today and arrest a Tojikhel sub-tribe tribesman for allegedly abusing an army officer. South Waziristan Agency Chief Administrator Asmatullah Gandapur warned the tribes that military and political action under the Frontier Crimes Regulation could be taken if the lashkar moved slowly. Meanwhile, tribesmen in North Waziristan also formed a lashkar against militants, Daily Times correspondent in Miranshah, Rehmatullah Darpakhel reported. |