Tackling militancy : Adezai villagers putting up brave fight

Former peace militia leader says militants roam freely at night while police do not venture out after sundown.

PESHAWAR:

Peace eludes residents and police officials at the Mattani police station since 2008 when the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), Darra Adam Khel chapter, extended its reach to Adezai village, located on the edge of the provincial capital.

After setting up a markaz (centre), the militia established a self-styled Sharia court. Adezai village is known for its rough topography consisting of mud dunes densely covered with bushes, and its inhabitants are always embroiled in bloody feuds.

During the Sikh rule in Peshawar, Adezai villagers were the first to reject annual taxes imposed by the Sikh “infidels”. They, however, gave in following a military expedition.

The village now has a localised TTP Adezai chapter, which works directly under TTP Darra Adam Khel. This was the first wing of the terrorist group to openly operate in a settled district of Peshawar.

“They caught thieves, shaved their heads and mounted them on donkeys to set an example for others. The thieves eventually fled the area,” said Dilawar Khan, a former head of Adezai peace militia. “There was peace in the area, perhaps for the first time in the history,” he added.

Police also avoided coming to Adezai after sunset but the Taliban formed teams to patrol the area in the night, he said. Their growing vigilante activities prompted a police operation against them.

Villagers led by elders, including Dilawar Khan and Waqif Khan raised a peace militia in August 2008. This resulted in a series of clashes between Taliban militants and the peace militia.

Since the police operation, militants have attacked the Mattani police station almost daily. Volunteers of the peace militia became their prime target.

In January 2009, one of Dilawar’s brothers was killed in Karachi’s Shireen Jinnah Colony by Taliban militants. Former nazim and head of the peace militia, Haji Abdul Malik, was also killed in a suicide attack in November 2009.

“So far, 108 Adezai villagers have been killed in bomb attacks alone. Around 30 mortar and rocket attacks took place, and 17 people have been shot dead in targeted attacks in the village,” said Haji Waqif Khan.

Police stations and checkpoints have been frequently targeted. Militants also mounted three attacks on Superintendent Police Kalam Khan before he was killed in a suicide blast on Ring Road on March 15 this year.

The bomb disposal squad has also defused dozens of explosive devices. Despite efforts of law-enforcement agencies, militants roam the area freely at night. A kidnapping attempt was made on the district revenue officer of Bannu, Sajid Nawaz. Although he managed to escape, his gunman and driver were taken and killed.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2012.