The threat from Hafiz Gul Bahadur, considered to be the protégé of the Haqqani network in the North Waziristan Agency, raises the spectre of renewed violence in the country.
Unlike the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is based in neighbouring South Waziristan Agency, Bahadur’s fighters mainly aid the Haqqani network in fighting US-led Nato forces in Afghanistan.
In pamphlets distributed in the main market in Miramshah, the main town in North Waziristan, Bahadur criticised Pakistani leaders for allowing the US to conduct drone attacks in North Waziristan and said the council of militant groups he heads would no longer hold talks with the government.
“We have been exercising patience because of problems being faced by common people but now the government has also resorted to repression on our common people at the behest of foreigners,” said Bahadur in the pamphlets carrying the name of Hafiz Gul Bahadur, Masul-wa-Khadimul Mujahideen North Waziristan.
He accused the government of firing mortar bombs and cannons on civilians and demolishing a hospital and other buildings in North Waziristan.
Army officials were not immediately available for comment. Local military officials said “terrorists” had used public buildings to launch rocket attacks at military checkpoints.
“We are disbanding the jirga [council] set up for talks with the government. If the government resorts to any repressive act in the future then it will also be very difficult for us to show patience,” said Bahadur.
Sources say it’s unclear whether Bahadur disbanded the Waziristan Grand Peace Jirga, which has been overseeing peace with government since 2007, or some other jirga.
Bahadur, believed to have thousands of fighters, reached a peace agreement with the government of Pakistan in 2007. But it has been strained lately.
Two clerics who are leaders of the committee that oversees the pact, Maulana Gul Ramazan and Hafiz Noorullah Shah, suggested the army had violated the deal.
Even though party leaders openly criticise the drone attacks, saying they play into the hands of militants, analysts argue that strikes which kill high-value al Qaeda and Taliban targets would not be possible without help from intelligence agencies in Pakistan.
Bahadur’s threat came days after security forces blew up some buildings in Miramshah in a hunt for militants.
Chemists and druggists in Miramshah also protested against the demolition of the buildings. All chemists and private clinics remained closed on Saturday. President of the Chemists and Druggists Association Ahmeduddin demanded compensation for the destroyed property and said that they would stage a sit-in outside the Parliament House and move the Supreme Court if their demands were not met.
The protesters allege that security forces blew up Shawal Medical Complex in the Dattakhel Adda area of Miramshah and damaged at least 50 shops.
(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM REUTERS)
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2011.
COMMENTS (38)
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its about time army learn to respect human rights in tribal areas.
@Sao Lao: My point is that even in major cities there is no control on weapons !! So how are you going to achieve de weaponisation in tribal regions which are barely under control of Pakistan Govt or Army???
I see that there are a lot of brown sahibs on this site supporting the US occupation.
What sovereignty does the US have to be in Afghanistan? The whole reason that Gul Bahaudr is at war is because of the US presence.
@Roflcopter
How long will Pakistan continue the policy of pleasing an untrustworthy “ally” like US and turn our own people against us in the process?
A. Pakistan broke the promise of not using Pattons and Sabre Jets against India.
B. Pakistan indulged in nuclear proliferation.
C. Pakistan diverted funds meant for Afghan operations to Kashmir.
D. Pakistan shelters Mullah Omar and Haqqanis.
E. Pakistan hosted OBL.
And yet somehow, US becomes 'untrustworthy'.
Sir, you have a warped sense of morality and ethics.
But then,Why am I not surprised?
The workers of the world need to rise up and take over the financial centers of London and Newyork. We can not allow these hedge fund managers and the designers of the weapons of financial destructions to force their nefarious designs on the world economy. Because of their personal greed these vile people have taken the world economy to the brink.
Bring on the REVOLUTION!
The Army could easliy eliminate the militants in the FATA region if it quits having most of the army guarding the border (with India) "against an enemy attack which will never come"! This is 2011, not 1940 with the Maginot line between Germany and France! Who in their right mind believes that India can't wait to take over Pakistan (with all its problems)?
But, where did they find government?
@hedgefunder: When i am talking I stick to the point. Why you have brought in Karachi in the circle out of my understanding. There is 1000+ kms difference between the two areas and situations and circumstances are entirely different. "goons" in karachi are politicals parties and their armed wings where as its people in FATA. I admit it be a quick task but atleast lets start.
I won't be surprised if same remarks come from Haqqani group or other groups. Like it or not what Hiliary Cliton said is true " you cannot keep snakes in your backyard, thinking they will only bite others."
Let's Kill em all and let god sort them out
these loely people are now daring the pakistan army too;great friends
@Sao Lao: LOL """" Try de weaponizing the goons in Karachi first, than dream about it for areas like NW, FATA etc..... Man you do have sense of humour, i must say !! The very idea of de weaponisation in Pakistan is a non starter ! period !!
@Maulana Diesel: Stop playing same old record like your country's Leaders, as nop one is listening !!!! Just look at the reluctance, of providing Aid for the flood victims, who really need help !!! But as usual your Govt seems least concerned about them !!! If i were you , i would worry about your economy , leave the rest of the world to their devices, as they are smart and will come out of it, may take 3-5 years !!! But what will the Land of Pure do, without the Aid during that period is really a million dollar question!!!!
Pakistan should stop co operating with US first and then de weaponize the area. Interests of Pakistan will always comes first through whatever means
"Hafiz Gul Bahadur has an unofficial non-aggression pact with the military, focusing instead on attacking US troops in neighbouring Afghanistan."
That means what US was saying was correct i.e. terrorists that attack NATO forces in Afghanistan have a safe haven in Pakistan. So Pakistan has been taking money but not keeping up its part of the bargain.
Pakistani people frequently speak about their contribution to the 'global war on terror'. But the only people they are fighting are TTP who attack Pakistanis. Many countries have insurgencies but fighting those does not mean you are fighting the global war on terror. For example Sri Lanka fighting LTTE or India fighting the MAoists or NEpali government fighting Naxals does not count as being part of global war on terror.
It can only be said that Pakistan contributes to the global war on terror if it fights those terrorist organizations that attack people outside Pakistan e.g. Haqqani group, Afghan Taliban, LeT, JeM. But the fact is Pakistan is treating these groups with kid gloves.
Sometimes such decisions need to be taken by desperate victims such as the people of FATA in order to get their point across.
I think FATA has already been lost. We should free it and let it burn itself.But dont free balochistan because its big
Hafiz Gul Bahadur has an unofficial non-aggression pact with the military, focusing instead on attacking US troops in neighbouring Afghanistan. . This what all the whining about sovereignty boils down to. You have made a deal with terrorist to allow them to use the protection of your territory so long as they leave you alone. An irresponsible and cowardly act.
@Iron hand: Yes, but all the request for action has always fallen on blind and deaf people in charge of Pakistan !!! They simply can not comprehand the long term consequences of their inaction !!! They will wake up when the Clergy is sitting in the presidency and start introducing their type of Islam on the nation.
@Roflcopter: May be ! but remember without that "untrustworthy ally" Pakistan would simply not exist in its present form and forget eating grass, as there won't even be that !!!! Face the Facts here ! How would pakistan have managed without all the Financial Aid over past decade, let alone since independance???? The export industry is simply not large enough to sustain the population's domestic requirements !
Poof goes the myth of a 'friendly' Taliban.
This situation was on the cards for a long time and I had commented several times on ET that these assets will attack Pak security forces in the near future since they have their own agenda to rule Pakistan one day.
I would like to urge the UK government to take action against the activities of the bankers and the hedgefunds as it is because of them that the world economy is on the brink
The Army reacted to firing of rockets by militants by shelling houses and a hospital. I think that the Army should be more careful because by hitting back at many due to the actions of one or two persons would not be the best method in the long-run. This will only make people more angry, especially those who are not gulity of wrong doing.
Give peace a chance! Negotiate! Imran Khan says so!
A Patriotic Pakistani warn you; stop being maverick and refrain from harming innocent citizens; we are ready to dispatch you to next world ....
He takes responsibility of attacks on US; why wouldnt US attack him, and why would Pakistan provide air cover to their activities after becoming a part of war on terror
The article confirms that militants operating in north waziristan are attacking US troops in Afghanistan, which has been America's point all along.
How long will Pakistan continue the policy of pleasing an untrustworthy "ally" like US and turn our own people against us in the process? Pakistan has a decision to make now, either make Pakistan a bigger mess than it already is by continuing their pathetic policy of pleasing US OR take a stand against drone strikes and stop providing US a supply route.
@Hedgefunder, You thought wrong.
Seems like Imran Khan's idea is what the situation needs now
Wars are won on the negotiating table not battlefields. He should do the "needful". History cant wait
FATA area North and south Waziristan is a part of Pakistan? If it is part of Pakistan why militants roam around freely and if it is free tribal area. Than Pakistan government is has full right to support USA to operate drones to kill Militants.and insurgences who operate from the area. There are two options. one Pakistan army should de- weaponize the area and create two provinces. School collages should be setup and industrialize the area,This area is full of mineral wealth. They can become the richest provinces.
If they do not want to be part of Pakistan, erect a permanent border, Let USA and Afghans deal with them. If they are not Pakistani they need passport to enter Pakistan.on a visa..
Drones should be stopped. It's an outrage they've been allowed so long.
an alarming, even horrifying, picture.