Sunday, Nov 28, 2004
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Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | International
By B. Muralidhar Reddy
ISLAMABAD, NOV. 27. Pakistan has announced the removal of army checkposts from parts of Waziristan to win back the confidence of tribals in the region neighbouring Afghanistan. Since March this year, Pakistan armed forces have been engaged in intense operations in the belt in search of Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants reportedly sheltered by some of the tribals. The Army has lost over 200 personnel and an estimated 300-odd foreign militants have been killed in the combat operations. Foreign militants are believed to have sneaked into the belt from across Afghanistan and Kabul has repeatedly said the re-grouped militants had been involved in hit and run attacks inside the country.
Blockade lifted
The decision to remove the checkposts in the belt by Safdar Hussain, Peshawar Corps Commander, is seen as a confidence building measure to secure the tribals' support in checking the activities of the militants. Pakistan has in the last nine months tried a variety of things, from inducements to collective punishments, to compel the tribals to persuade the militants surrender peacefully. None of them worked. Once it dawned on the military that the economic blockade was further alienating the locals, it was lifted. The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Shaukat Sultan, said the army would continue to keep vigil in the belt. Lt. Gen. Hussain said the decision to remove the checkposts was a response to the Ahmedzai Wazir tribe's promise to support the military to take "complete control" of militants in their areas of South Waziristan. He was addressing the Ahmedzai Wazir tribes who came from Wana to seek more development schemes for their areas. Lt. Gen. Safdar said the army would not use force against anyone and expressed hope that the Wazir tribes would ensure peace in their areas.
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