.Guns fall silent in Khyber
ISLAMABAD: Guns were silent yesterday on 7th day of semi-military operation launched by security forces backed by Pakistan Army in Khyber Agency, which is considered to be the gateway to South Asia from Afghanistan.
Two self-proclaimed and unlawful religious organizations through their FM radios in Khyber Agency had almost established their practical control over the region which links Pakistan with Afghanistan and is the main reinforcement center for NATO forces in Afghanistan.
North-West Frontier Province Gov. Owais Ahmed Ghani said yesterday the government is serious about fighting militants. But critics claimed the offensive along the Afghan border has been largely ineffective because many of those targeted had already fled and no leading militant chiefs were captured.
Ghani defended the deployment of hundreds of security forces in Khyber Agency. “The state is very serious” in fighting militants and the government plans to launch crackdowns against militants in other parts of the province, Ghani told reporters, without elaborating.
The Ministry of Interior said it has so far arrested 92 “criminals” and seized large caches of arms and ammunition in Khyber. Another 128 suspects have been arrested and drugs and weapons seized separately in the nearby city of Peshawar.
Former lawmaker Lateef Afridi, who is a Khyber native and a senior figure in the Awami National Party that rules the province, contended that security forces were not serious in going after militant leaders.
He alleged that only “common people” were arrested. Another senior politician in the province said supporters of the Lashkar-e-Islam and Ansarul Islam groups fled to the remote Tirah valley ahead of the crackdown. The groups are accused of trying to impose their own Taleban-style Islamic rules in Khyber.
Operation in Khyber Agency entered into seventh consecutive day whereas curfew has been relaxed in Bara yesterday. Sources said that Bara market has been closed for the day. A cease-fire has also been announced in Bara on the request of the Local Jirga (tribal assembly).
Local Jirga members have met with political administration and requested to hold talks with Lashkar-e-Islam’s chief Mangal Bagh. Jirga has reached Tirah to negotiate with Mangal Bagh.
Meanwhile, local Taleban have kidnapped one US newsman including the two journalists from Lakanro area here.
Sources also said that the local Taleban, while claiming the responsibility of kidnappings, said that abductees would be released after interrogation. One of the abducted journalists hails from South Waziristan. The journalists were kidnapped on way from here to Peshawar.
Ghani said that people’s protection is the prime responsibility of the government and such an operation in this regard will continue in future. Talking to media, Ghani said the government was trying to resolve all issues faced by the people. Answering to a question regarding the military action, he said the government had set its own target on day-to-day basis, adding that all targets were being achieved gradually.
The governor further said the government was monitoring the situation in Peshawar and other districts. Police have succeeded in their operations in Nowshehra and Charsadda, he added.
The government was encouraged by the fact that every force had carried out the operation sensibly and responsibly, he said.
Meanwhile in Balochistan’s capital of Quetta, a minor girl was killed while 11 others received injuries in a bomb blast which took place at Mannan roundabout on Jinnah Road in Quetta. According to initial reports, the bomb was planted on a motorbike. Those injured were shifted to the hospital for treatment. Police have cordoned off the area after the explosion, sources said.
Arab News
I have no idea. Sounds like the APU gone amuck
Two self-proclaimed and unlawful religious organizations through their FM radios in Khyber Agency had almost established their practical control over the region which links Pakistan with Afghanistan and is the main reinforcement center for NATO forces in Afghanistan.
North-West Frontier Province Gov. Owais Ahmed Ghani said yesterday the government is serious about fighting militants. But critics claimed the offensive along the Afghan border has been largely ineffective because many of those targeted had already fled and no leading militant chiefs were captured.
Ghani defended the deployment of hundreds of security forces in Khyber Agency. “The state is very serious” in fighting militants and the government plans to launch crackdowns against militants in other parts of the province, Ghani told reporters, without elaborating.
The Ministry of Interior said it has so far arrested 92 “criminals” and seized large caches of arms and ammunition in Khyber. Another 128 suspects have been arrested and drugs and weapons seized separately in the nearby city of Peshawar.
Former lawmaker Lateef Afridi, who is a Khyber native and a senior figure in the Awami National Party that rules the province, contended that security forces were not serious in going after militant leaders.
He alleged that only “common people” were arrested. Another senior politician in the province said supporters of the Lashkar-e-Islam and Ansarul Islam groups fled to the remote Tirah valley ahead of the crackdown. The groups are accused of trying to impose their own Taleban-style Islamic rules in Khyber.
Operation in Khyber Agency entered into seventh consecutive day whereas curfew has been relaxed in Bara yesterday. Sources said that Bara market has been closed for the day. A cease-fire has also been announced in Bara on the request of the Local Jirga (tribal assembly).
Local Jirga members have met with political administration and requested to hold talks with Lashkar-e-Islam’s chief Mangal Bagh. Jirga has reached Tirah to negotiate with Mangal Bagh.
Meanwhile, local Taleban have kidnapped one US newsman including the two journalists from Lakanro area here.
Sources also said that the local Taleban, while claiming the responsibility of kidnappings, said that abductees would be released after interrogation. One of the abducted journalists hails from South Waziristan. The journalists were kidnapped on way from here to Peshawar.
Ghani said that people’s protection is the prime responsibility of the government and such an operation in this regard will continue in future. Talking to media, Ghani said the government was trying to resolve all issues faced by the people. Answering to a question regarding the military action, he said the government had set its own target on day-to-day basis, adding that all targets were being achieved gradually.
The governor further said the government was monitoring the situation in Peshawar and other districts. Police have succeeded in their operations in Nowshehra and Charsadda, he added.
The government was encouraged by the fact that every force had carried out the operation sensibly and responsibly, he said.
Meanwhile in Balochistan’s capital of Quetta, a minor girl was killed while 11 others received injuries in a bomb blast which took place at Mannan roundabout on Jinnah Road in Quetta. According to initial reports, the bomb was planted on a motorbike. Those injured were shifted to the hospital for treatment. Police have cordoned off the area after the explosion, sources said.
Arab News
I have no idea. Sounds like the APU gone amuck
posted by madtom at 4:23 PM
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