International   

Ceasefire in Waziristan

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: After four days of intense fighting in South Waziristan between local tribesmen and Uzbek militants, both sides on Friday adhered to a ceasefire brokered by the Jamaat-e-Ulema Islami, tribal elders, and local and Afghan Taliban leaders.

Though the commander of the local pro-Taliban militants, Maulavi Nazir, was reportedly bent on fighting the Uzbek militants, members of the jirga that assembled in the tribal district in Pakistan's north-west, persuaded him to agree to a ceasefire.

The North-West Frontier Province Governor, Lt. Gen. (retd) Ali Muhammed Jan Aurakzai, said at a press conference in Peshawar the fighting which began on Monday and continued until late Thursday afternoon killed 130 foreign militants, and 25 to 30 tribesmen. In addition, 62 foreign militants have been arrested, he said.

However, local journalists who spoke to tribesmen said the death toll might have been significantly lower.

According to a senior Peshawar-based journalist, the tribesmen are claiming that no more than a dozen fighters were killed, on their side and foreign militants put together. Those in the jirga include members of the pro-Taliban JuI, a constituent of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, Baithullah Mehsud, a senior Taliban commander who intelligence officials have blamed for the suicide attacks across Pakistan, and senior Taliban leaders.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Iran seizes 15 British soldiers
34 Tigers killed in Sri Lanka battle
Ceasefire in Waziristan
Pakistan team to fly back today
Singapore does not see press as fourth estate: Minister
"Tarique has underworld links"
To curb bovine burps
Edwards to press ahead
Iran not for making nuclear arms: Khatami
Sir Creek maps exchanged
Bravery award for Indian
An array of Indian authors for Paris Book Fair

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu