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Army operations suspended in North Waziristan

Staff Report

MIRANSHAH: Military operations against militants in North Waziristan were suspended and tribesmen given charge to flush out foreign terrorists, NWFP Governor Khalil-ur-Rehman told a Jirga.

The governor, however, set no timeframe for tribal elders to purge North Waziristan of foreign militants. “The government has suspended operations in North Waziristan because it believes that the tribesmen are able to restore peace and normalcy through their own customs and traditions,” Rehman told Utmanzai Wazir and Daur tribes in Miranshah, regional headquarters of North Waziristan. Khalil’s visit to Miranshah follows last month disturbing images when local Taliban “mutilated” corpses after killing who they said were bandits. The announcement also comes days after Afghanistan delivered Pakistan a list of wanted Taliban leaders for their handover to Kabul.

“It doesn’t mean that the government has backed out of its earlier determination rather we want to show that the tribesmen can improve the situation themselves,” the governor told the Jirga elders.

“However, if there is no improvement (in the ground situation), the (military) operations would be resumed with full vigor and severity” Governor Rehman warned the tribesmen. “The tribesmen should realize the gravity of situation and discharge their responsibilities to evade further operations.”

The governor said the government was taking action against the elements that were “our foes as well as enemies of the entire world and humanity. If we do not fix them up, others are ready to follow them till total elimination.” Rehman lauded the tribesmen for their patriotic sentiments and loyalty to the country saying, “Now again the time has come that the tribesmen should demonstrate the same spirit to uphold the dignity and prestige of the country.”

He said the deployment of army in the tribal belt was aimed at securing the borders.”

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