'Holy wars': Pakistan militants vow to avenge Bin Laden death
Masked militants armed with assault rifles handed out copies of the pamphlet from pick-up vehicles in Miranshah, the main town of the tribal district that has become known as Pakistan's premier al Qaeda and Taliban hub.
"Let us pledge today that we will continue our jihad (holy war) and sacrifice our lives and property in the way of Allah like Sheikh Osama did," it said, unsigned and dated May 2, the anniversary of the al Qaeda leader's killing by US troops.
"Today, a year since Sheikh Osama bin Laden embraced martyrdom, the enemy America is repenting. It is facing defeat and Pakistan's future is also bleak," it said.
The pamphlet distribution followed two days of rare fighting between troops and militants in Miranshah that killed 19 soldiers and civilians, officials said.
Bin Laden was killed on May 2 2011 in a secret US Navy SEAL operation in a walled-off compound in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad.
Pakistan went on high alert last week over fears of revenge attacks, but the anniversary passed off peacefully.
COMMENTS (35)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1731975305-0/Untitled-design-(40)1731975305-0-165x106.webp "article")
1731975060-0/Untitled-design-(39)1731975060-0-165x106.webp "article")
1731929357-0/Express-Tribune-(6)1731929357-0-270x192.webp "punjab govt announces guidelines for school reopening")
@Cosmo:
Pak population has crossed the threshold of "more than enough stress" that can kill a conscientious human being. Now they "subconsciously" chose "denial" of all bad news to at least save their health. You can't blame them, can you? After all they are being blackmailed from every possible source they had respect for.After their own leaders, Osama of Saudi Arabia and remnants of once freedom fighters(Afghan Mujahedin) are now behind the killing of more than 25,000 innocent Pak Civilians. Even the Clergy is after the buck and power thru controversial claims of blasphemy and women "rights".
At least these guys believe that US action in Abbottabad killed their Shaikh unlike thousands of other armchair resting drawing room jihadists! For them conspiracy theories are more pious than the holy Quran!
Aint this the dichotomy of Pakistani Society? Last I had read that close to 73% Pakistanis do not believe that Osama is dead and that Abbottabad was a fake and here PAKISTANi militans want to do Jihad to avenge the death of Osama !! Which is it, is he dead or not?
Dear Syed Ali Raza Abidi,
These terrorists have left us with no choice but to go after them with full force. Just look at the damage these terrorists have caused to the nation of Pakistan alone. Thousands of innocent people have been killed due to the acts of terror throughout the country. How long can we allow this to carry on? We have already laid the option for these terrorists to lay down their weapons and renounce violence. But we must go after those who attack our citizens and regularly target our forces. It is for that reason you see us regularly emphasize the importance of joint cooperation. We must not let our differences shift the advantage in their favor. We must work together to eliminate this common threat. These terrorists are fully focused on infiltrating the region with their acts of terror. And we need to combine our strength in bringing peace and stability to the region.
Delayed action Please some one tell them Ben laden was killed one year ago. May be they are waiting for Abbottabad commission result.
America is thousands of miles away. No militant in Pakistan or Afghanistan can reach it. They had in 9/11 but that seems like a different era now.
When beasts of the mind are manufactured, they need a victim. US is too far away, Pakistan is near by.
Pakistan in its feeble attempts to maintain strategic depth is helping manufacture these beasts by the hundreds. What a foolish idea.
These so called militants to focus on something else. You don't wage someone elses war especially when they are dead now. What a waste of time, energy and effort on something pointless. And the tragedy is that innocent Pakistanis will die. Why do brainless fools make situations more worse than they are.
Does Pakistan have a rule of law? Terrorists freely roam the country handing out leaflets that incite violence and there is nobody to stop them. The best part is that the people start protesting when these ruffians are taken down by the drones. The drones would never be here in the first place if there was a rule of law.
@LionOfPunjab: how is america repenting....?? by sending more drones on ur soil..????hahhaha
@US Centcom: Until there are political parties available to confuse the population by apologizing on behalf of the militants, there cannot be much that can be done to eradicate this menace. Especially from Pakistan!
This is not true but total lie spread by the enemies of Islam and Pakistan. OBL was never in Pakistan, never got killed and there is no question of revenge by the peace loving associates. If you don’t believe me read the leaking (drip drip) Abbottabad Commission Report.
I don't understand how a terrorist can handout pamphlets so freely in the streets. There's gotta be some backing up. In an area where there is heavy military presence and the terrorists are moving free and distributing pamphlets...what a shame!
So they are going to kill more Pakistanis to avenge Usama's death?
@true Muslim: Islam don't teach us millions of things Muslims do these days including; to hurt and harm others to achieve political or monetary goal in the disguise of religion. Nothing new!
@Dr Khan: didn't you see the recent remarks coming from Pakistan? It supposedly played a 'huge role' in his death.
I thought the current right wing line was that the Osama operation was a CIA engineered hoax and that an imposter died in Abbotabad ? Wish they had consistent stories!
Those who are protecting these strategic assets must be knowing the consequences of any future action taken from our soil. These types of calls 'Holy War' can invite Blessed Drones.
I wonder if common muslim belives on these militants believe on Al Qaeda. These organizations are funded by US in the past, now they are funded by other donors. Islam don't teach us to play hide and seak games and start terrorrism.
@US Centcom - Your message can not be understood by average Pakistani.
Do these terrorists really believe that they can blindfold people and hide reality? Do these terrorists really expect to succeed with their propagandas and lies? They have the audacity to use intimidation as a method to persuade? They have the audacity to portray OBL as someone worthy of praise? The truth is that he was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocents around the globe. His terrorist organization, Al-Qaeda, continues to pose a threat to innocent people around the world. Our forces have successfully disbanded their terrorist network from Afghanistan, but they are desperately trying to regroup and manipulate people into carrying out their terrorist activities. We must show that we can overcome our differences for the sake of achieving the bigger purpose of defeating terrorism. It is easy to see that these terrorists are desperately trying to achieve their evil agenda through any means possible. Therefore, we must show unity and send a strong message regarding combating terrorism.
u dun know wat s the meaning of militant than why are u writing pakistani militant there is no such thing like militants ok Islam doesn't teach us like we are doing rite now plz i have a request from all the media corporations that plz cut that western influence and stop being anti-muslims 4 GOD SAKE.
Pakistan's future is bleak with thugs like these roaming the streets of ANY town within Pakistan's border and distributing edicts like this, stringing Pakistani soldiers' severed heads on poles, and the state/army not doing anything about it.
Jihad against whom, US no way but Pakistan and India may be on their radar with former likely to suffer immensely.
wait, how does that justify war agaunst Pakistan? It was the US Navy Seal who killed OBL, not Pakistan? Most we know, Pak was probably hiding him!
"...Today, a year since Sheikh Osama bin Laden embraced martyrdom, the enemy America is repenting. It is facing defeat and Pakistan’s future is also bleak,”
All System: Go! Drone Strikes with Full Force. All sympathizers of Talibans must now stand with them to face the Drones & Pak Army.@Zalmai,
totally irrelevant comment..
What kind of country is this? Ppl cry over sovereignty when drones bomb and 19 soldiers killed and no protest? Wake up of your dreams of bringing glory to Islamic world before beautiful country of yours become another Somalia/Sudan/N. Korea.
Surprising that even the militants believe that Osama was killed in Abottabad but the average Pakistani remains sceptical :).
@Batman
Nobody in Afghanistan cares about OBL or Arabs for that matter. It is the Pakistanis who are enamored with Arabs and claim descent from them.
What could be more disgusting then this repugnant phrase....holy wars!
A reason to endorse drones!
As long as they vent their anger in Afghanistan all is good.