Security issues: ‘Peace’ militia elder missing

Aman Laskher spokesperson says he had killed militants before joining the militia.

PESHAWAR: Thought to be a stern opponent of militants, the head of Teleband peace militia remains a ‘missing person’.

Fazal Amin is thought to have been mistakenly accused of militancy and taken in. He had been arrested with others near a bakery in cantonment area about 14 months ago in 2011. A person he was with was later released, but not Amin. An FIR has been registered in Chamkani police station against Amin’s friend Bashir, who is accused of being behind Amin’s arrest.

Amin had previously killed three militants himself in an encounter and became a desirable target for militants. Spokesperson of the Tappa Mohmand peace militia, Mukamal Shah, told The Express Tribune that he was determined Amin was not a militant and was falsely accused and arrested because he had a monetary dispute with his friend Bashir.

“How can Fazal Amin be considered even be a militant when he has killed many of them before he even become active in the peace militia?” Shah asked.

He said if Amin was a criminal, then an FIR should be registered against him and he be produced before court. Amin’s wife and children have lost hope to see him alive again, he said.

“It is tragic because I know a number of militants who roam free,” Shah added, “But Amin was picked up on a false tip.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12^th, 2012.