Local Taliban leaders on Tuesday marked the first anniversary of an airstrike on a madrassa in the Damadola region of Bajaur Agency in which around 80 people, whom the government claimed were terrorists, were killed on October 30, 2006. The Taliban leaders vowed to continue “jihad” against the US and its allies. “Jihad against infidels will continue,” Taliban commander Maulana Faqir Muhammad told a gathering in the Umerai area in Bajaur agency’s Mamoond tehsil.Deny involvement in Swat: They said they wanted peace in all areas and denied their involvement in Swat violence. Maulana Faqir said ‘mujahideen’s” struggle against the US and its allies would continue. “It is impossible to restore peace in the country till General Pervez Musharraf remains in power,” he said. Maulana Inayatur Rehman, Maulana Muhammad Daud, Maulana Sultan Muhammad and Maulana Muhammad Karim condemned the Swat army operation, saying the government was killing innocent people “at the behest of America” and pushing the country towards lawlessness.They demanded the government stop the military operation in Swat.
The Taliban leaders said they were not involved in Swat violence as they believe in peace. They said that some elements were posing as “mujahideen” and carrying out terrorist activities to bring a bad name to them.
They said these elements would be unmasked and punished. Maulana Abdullah, Maulana Rahimullah and Maulana Aitzaz Ali also demanded the government stop load-shedding in the area.Separately, militants blew up two Levies checkposts in the Pusht and Tarakai areas in Salarzai tehsil, 25 kilometres north of agency headquarters Khar. Security forces retaliated with mortar firing. However, there was no loss of life on either side.