From Chitral to Nuristan in Afghanistan is a tough journey, especially in the harsh winters of December. But Shireen Bibi, 60, travelled all the way, walking on foot in places where the forest was thick, to find her missing son.
Shireen’s son was kidnapped on August 27 last year when nearly 300 militants crossed over from Afghanistan to Pakistan and attacked seven security checkpoints along the Durand Line. The brazen cross-border incursion killed more than 30 personnel of the Chitral Scouts, part of the paramilitary Frontier Corps.
Two soldiers, Tariq Jalal and Faqir Hussain, were kidnapped in the attack. Hussain’s beheaded body was found in December in the Darshot forest of Chitral.
It was then that Shireen decided that she would travel to Afghanistan and negotiate with the Taliban for her son Tariq’s release since all attempts to negotiate through an intermediary had failed.
Shireen, a widow and mother of six, said that initially the family tried to muster support from the government, but they were not given any assistance. “My eldest son accompanied me to Nuristan and it took me four days to reach there,” she told The Express Tribune over telephone from Chitral.
“It was raining very heavily when they brought my son to me, but seeing Tariq after months of uncertainty was like an overdue blessing.”
However, despite months of waiting, she could not bring Tariq home. “The militants are demanding Rs6 million for his release,” she said, adding that she has been trying to raise the money on her own.
It’s been a long eight months struggle and now time is running out. We cannot take this any longer and are asking everyone to help us in Tariq’s release, she said.
At a press conference on Monday, Shireen appealed to philanthropists to help her pay the ransom.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 11th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
We commend the efforts of this brave mother who went on a quest to find her kidnapped son, but we cannot overlook the blatant atrocities of the terrorists. Aren’t these the same people who have kidnapped scores of FC personnel and killed them in cold blood while videotaping their own crimes? Calling them freedom fighters is not only disrespecting this mother but all the other families who have lost their loved ones to the terrorists.
Is it not time to redouble our common efforts to completely neutralize these terrorists so no mother has to go through the trials this one is going through?
Maj David Nevers DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
An old woman went to Taliban in search of her son. Our great army cannot move forward to kill or catch them, because they are our strategic assets.
Nothing like the love of a mother. May Allah help Shireen Bibi succeed in reuniting with her son. Inspiring story.
Where is Hafiz Saeed and JuD? They collect billions of rupees as donations !
I don't know, why our media call these terrorists as "Taliban". Everyone of us know that they are criminal elements and they kidnap people to get ransom. The only solution is to seal the border with afghanistan completely.
I agree... where is Ansar Burney???
@kaalchakra: Regardless of who is funding this "campaign," it is a given that whoever earns the "aah" of a mother is doomed to failure and destruction. Ends do not justify means, specially if one is ideologically oriented, as the perceived impression of Talibans is. How can anyone fighting for anything worthwhile put a mother in such a destitute situation? And, look at her age: 60! All the beliefs and religions of the world teach respect and service to a mother, and I believe Islam puts an overwhelming emphasis on it. This is a despicable act of banditry, nothing else.
@kaalchakra
You must be joking. TTP terrorists attacked in hundreds last year and executed FC and policemen infront of firing squads and released videos. Come out of the 80s now
Where is Ansar Burney??? Why hasn't he helped here????
Another attempt by ET to malign freedom fighters and to degrade important strategic assets. ET, who is funding this campaign?