ISLAMABAD: In a bid to impose their own puritanical version of Islam, the Pakistani Taliban have introduced “moral policing” in parts of northeastern Afghanistan, Afghan police claimed on Sunday.
Key leaders of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – including its chieftains in Swat, Bajaur Agency and Mohmand Agency Maulana Fazaullah, Maulvi Faqir and Abdul Wali – and dozens of their loyalists had fled military operations and sought sanctuary in the Afghan provinces of Nuristan and Kunar.
Sporadically, they have been mounting cross-border attacks on Pakistani border guards in Chitral and Dir districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Now, they have introduced “moral policing” on the pattern of the Taliban-era ‘Department for the Preservation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice’ in Kamdesh district of Nuristan. Their armed vigilantes roam the streets to stop what they believe are un-Islamic activities.
“Turbaned and bearded Pakistani Taliban fighters, clad in black clothes, punish local people for shaving or trimming beards, using mobile phones and even eating Naswar,” provincial police chief Ghulamullah Nuristani told The Express Tribune by phone.
These vigilantes, according to Nuristani, are affiliated with a TTP group, led by Maulana Fazlullah, the infamous cleric who had fled his stronghold in Swat district following a military operation in 2008.
However, Sirajuddin, a TTP spokesperson, denied the claim. So did the Afghan Taliban.
The Taliban’s shadowy governor for Nuristan, Sheikh Dost Muhammad, dismissed Nuristani’s claim as “part of propaganda to undermine the Taliban’s growing popularity in the region”.
“Only Afghan Taliban operate in the areas under our control,” Dost Muhammad told The Express Tribune by phone.
Local journalists say that people are routinely body-searched in the Taliban-controlled areas. “Afghan officials believe the TTP is involved,” Nimatullah Karyab, an Afghan journalist from Asadabad city, capital of Kunar, told The Express Tribune.
Before the toppling of their regime by US-led foreign forces in 2001, the Afghan Taliban had set up a department called Amar Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar, or Department for the Preservation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, as part of their Islamisation campaign.
The Nuristan police chief claimed that scores of Pakistani families have also crossed over into Kamdesh district, where the writ of Kabul does not apply.
Afghan officials claim TTP militants are also ‘harassing native Afghans’ in Barg-e-Metal district and forcing them to vacate their homes for Pakistani families.
Nuristan and Kunar virtually fell to the Taliban following the pullout of US-led Nato forces from their forward bases in the two provinces in 2009-10.
Meanwhile, Afghan forces on Sunday seized a truckload of bomb-making material in Kunar which, they claimed, was coming from Multan.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (17)
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There was not a single Talib before 9/11 in pak and there was no TTP in pak..... it is just a mess which USA will leave behind for us after their withdrawal. They are at run and how they can establish a govt. just a propaganda.........
ET you are losing your touch. Worse propaganda to date, anyone with the slightest journalist credentials can refute these silly rumors, try again.
@US Centcom:
Well this proves that Pakistan has taken action (a fact repeatedly denied by US) and has driven them out to places where they can operate with relative ease (Under US’s own nose). Don't pat yourself on the back claiming to be successful in Afghanistan. There is an extremely corrupt government in Place in Afghanistan, Presidential elections under your watch were fraudulent (ironic that US media created such hue and cry over Iran's elections). Women do not have any better rights than 10 years ago. Taliban still control large part of the country and are bound to be back, because causes of their support in south and east of Afghanistan have not been eliminated. Not all fighting US are Taliban, many are nationalists who simply oppose any invaders, but they side with Taliban (enemy’s enemy is a friend doctrine) for now. Bombing is not a solution for everything, one needs more Brain than muscle to root out corruption, educate people and offer social justice. A tiny fraction of money spent on War could have solved the problem of religious extremism if there was a will and proper strategy involved. But that’s not what US was there for (contrary to the claims of bombing democracy into Afghanistan). You were here to avenge killing of 2800 people in US by Saudi Nationals funded by Saudi money. You have killed many more thousands of Afghans who had nothing to do with it. You can definitely take credit for that.
@kaalchakra
you know "ALWAYS SARCASM" Attitude really rocks on a newspapers which hates "AI" Comments . :D
We hope that once the Americans leave the area, Pakistan and Afghanistan will live a virtuous or corruption free life together, like brothers - which is what Islam's first choice always is.
Gen Zia is smiling in his grave. All the killing, hanging and hate campaign against the secular elected leaders of Pakistan is the background work to help bring in the fanatic terrorists. Every change by the overthrow has brought in more misery to Paksitan and its people.
Dear M Waqar,
This is just another desperate attempt by these terrorists to regain lost ground and impose their extremist mentality upon the innocent civilians. The days when they were able to freely conduct their terrorist activities in Afghanistan are long gone. The current situation is forcing them to react frantically, and search for ways to restore their dictatorship. They regularly disguise themselves among civilians and attack our forces. They prey upon innocent civilians, as evident by this story above, in their bid to destabilize the region. These are all signs of weakness, and an attempt to stand tall against our forces. But we are confident, based on our progress, that it is just a matter of time before the remaining few will be forced to give way to the rule of law. The importance of cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan can also be felt here. Our nations must work together to target these terrorists from both ends, and take the flexibility of crossing the borders away from them.
@Mwaqar: It may baffel some. Around 30 countries OF ISAF & NATO with USA leading the war but all loosing to unruly afghan tribes. BUT those who read history...know ...Its Afghanistan Where Empires DIE. Its Afghansitan where hatred for invaders surpasses all other enimities.
I don't get one thing,are these fanatics more powerful then NATO and all other military powers that they can impose their 7th century laws on innocent powerless people?Is civilized World admitting its defeat by letting these monsters and zombies to do whatever they wana do???
But Governor Nuristan, should also explain, Mr. Karzai that what he claims Pakistani TTP, are residing safe in his province to primarily "export terrorism into Pakistan"
"Nuristan and Kunar virtually fell to the Taliban following the pullout of US-led Nato forces from their forward bases in the two provinces in 2009-10."
Its pretty clear what the future of Afghanistan is. Its also clear that this disease will spread. The most affected Country after Afghanistan of this deadly epidemic will be Pakistan.
Those who think the ideology will not devour parts of Pakistan are in denial. Pakistan is an ideal breeding ground for this ideology and it will prevail. The images of SWAT that the World saw will be repeated. But, this time there is no turning back for the Taliban.
All this policy of strategic depth will annihilate Pakistan.
"(punish people) using mobile phones"...I've seen the most religious of scholars and Alims using a cell phones. In fact, I've seen the various maulana's who lead the Taraveeh in the Qiblah give interviews on TV. They are amongst the most respected and learned of Alims, yet they use the latest technologies. Prophet Muhammad SWS himself used the latest "technology" available such as steel. etc. He didn't live like a cave man either.
If these retarded morons want to live in caves and live like caveman that's THEIR problem. They certainly don't have the right to impose their views on to others who happen to disagree.
These people are the scum of the planet and are a complete disgrace to Islam.
Good thing Pakistan has the entire government, most of opposition and almost all of media for the Preservation of Vice and Prevention of Virtue.
'Department for the Preservation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice’ - sounds so Saudish.
I don't think it being TTP or the Taliban should matter. It's something to stop no matter who is doing it.