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| India-Pakistan |
| Taliban create new stronghold; forces zeroing in |
| 2009-09-16 |
| [The News (Pak)] Security agencies have found out that after erosion of the Swat, Buner and Salarzai strongholds, the Taliban have amassed on the hard terrain between Batkhela and Jalala on the Mardan-Swat Highway, and that is from where they perpetrate with the kind of suicide attacks one of which was thwarted at Thana in Swat the other day. It is from here, say senior security officials working on a new plan to attack this new stronghold, that they are building their arms arsenals, training camps, logistics and propaganda centres. More than 200 people received handwritten and typed death threats in Mardan, Batkhela, Dargai and the surrounding towns from the Taliban over the past fortnight. These letters point out that "We are aware of how you assist security agencies and act against Islam. You are going to face the wrath of God," says one of them. "These letters are being sent down from Shergarh, Batkhela, Chakdara, Iroshah, Shakh Number Panch, Jabban Road, Palai Sherkhanai, Sakhakot, Jalala and other villages on the Highway," said Kamal Shah, former NWFP Minister and chairman of Pukhtoon Aman Jirga, who is one of the recipients. Securities officials revealed to The News that they had developed "a sense of the reality that Taliban must be creating their new stronghold in areas surrounding Shergarh on Mardan-Swat Highway after they tasted a telling defeat in Swat, Buner and Dir. We are on their heels and are making all efforts to block arms and ammunition supplies to them from the channels developed by Taliban through Mohmand Agency, the adjoining areas of Malakand like Palai Sherkhani and Jabban Iroshah Road." When asked if they had any data on the activities of Taliban increasing after they made Shergarh their new stronghold, they said, "We are aware of the fact that they are sending down letters to the leaders of peace jirga and Aman Lashkars. We know that about two days ago they attacked the Shabqadar Adeenzai Aman Jirga chief, Malik Mohammad Ali. They attacked Bezo Kharaki Police Station two months ago and killed three policemen. They are now concentrating on the police patrols, as they attacked and killed three policemen last week in Lawrencepur. They are extending these activities toward the upper Punjab. They are causing fear to prevent emergence of new Lashkars and Aman Jirgas." Letter sent down to the Pukhtoon Aman Jirga chairman, Kamal Shah states: "We have repeatedly warned you against creating Jirga and Lashkar. You proved resilient. You know how we treat such defiance. We made such people into scaring example. We made two attempts on you previously on Mardan-Swabi Road and in Peshawar, but you escaped. And you do not stop indulging in what is against our mission and cause. We have made all arrangements not to let you escape this time. Be prepared to face an ugly end. Your family members are also our target. You cannot escape the punishment." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Hey! Where's my letter? |
| Posted by: Richard of Oregon 2009-09-16 16:21 |