Ground realities: Tribesmen refuse to act against Taliban

Chief of Kukikhel tribe says the clan was ready to migrate but will not be used in any action against the Taliban

JAMRUD: The Kukikhel tribe has refused to voluntarily hand over Ghundai, a Taliban commander, to officials of the Khyber Rifles. This was stated by chief of the Kukikhel tribe Malik Attaullah while addressing the tribe’s jirga at Ghundai. Attaullah said the demand was made by Khyber Rifles Commandant Col. Mansoor Janjua on Monday in a meeting attended by elders of the tribe. “We will not become a part of any plan aimed at taking action against Taliban at any cost,” he said, adding the tribe was ready to migrate but will not be used in any action against the Taliban. “Five years ago, our tribe was compelled to raise a laskhar against the Taliban but we refused, which is why our areas of Jamrud are peaceful as compared to the rest of the tribal areas,” he added. Attaullah further said the Kukikhel tribe is peaceful and patriotic and will not let their area be used against the state.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2013.