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Restive tribal belt could destabilise the region

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: The Pakistan-Afghanistan tribal belt is gradually getting converted into a conflict zone and unless it is brought under control, it has the potential of destabilising the entire region, according to a number of political and diplomatic sources here.

Since the signing of the North Waziristan accord, cross borders attacks have increased rather. Mine explosions and rocket attacks against the Pakistan Army are continuing and the writ of the government has been reduced significantly. After consolidating their position in South and North Waziristan, the Taliban have started organising themselves in other FATA agencies, including adjoining towns like Tank, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Kohat, and the Dir and Malakand region. Local populations and tribes are fearful of the wrath of the Taliban and are forced to support them even financially.

According to these sources, there are three main Taliban factions in North Waziristan headed by Sadiq Noor, Abu Kasha, and Najimuddin Uzbek. Sadiq Noor heads the most powerful and effective Taliban group from among the local population of North Waziristan. Initially, he was opposed to the presence of Arabs and Uzbeks in the area, but he appears to have changed his position. Sadiq Noor is associated with Maulana Fazalur Rehman’s JUI. He runs his operation from Miran Shah where his office hosts Taliban and Al Qaeda meetings. He also holds court under Sharia law, decides local disputes, announces punishments, collects money runs a private jail.

Abu Kasha, known as Arab Malang among locals, is an Iraqi Arab who is running his own small group in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan. He has two local commanders, Imanullah and Haq Nawaz Dawar who administer local offices. Abu Kasha has a working relationship and close communication with Uzbek groups. Usually they operate separately but if needed they operate together. The Uzbek group in North Waziristan is run by Najimuddin Uzbek who earlier was part of the Tahir Jan Yeldeshaf gang, which is now in opposition. The Najim group is also known as Ijaz Group in the area..

Over the last three years, the Taliban and Al Qaeda have gained enormous political and administrative control in South and North Waziristan. Their human, financial and moral support from the local population is increasing. In the last few months, the Taliban’s ability to communicate and coordinate with insurgent groups in Afghanistan has improved significantly.

The three main Taliban centres are located in Miran Shah, Mir Ali and Said Gai. In contrast to past practice, agency entrance gates in both North and South Waziristan remain open after 5pm and are used by the Taliban and drug and arms smugglers.

In South Waziristan, according to the sources, the two main Taliban commanders are Baitullah and Abdullah from the Mehsud tribes. The former is the most powerful Taliban commander in the entire South Waziristan. He signed a peace deal with the Pakistani authorities at Sararogha in February 2005. It was agreed that the army will evacuate tribal territories, the Taliban will not attack the army, foreigners will not get protection, the army will not conduct operations against the Taliban if they agreed to help in the completion of development work. After the agreement, the Taliban established 16 offices in different parts of the Mehsud territory which are still functioning. They undertook harsh steps against criminals and dacoits. A ban was imposed on the use of computers/TV/music/dance. Sharia law was imposed. Baitullah has a lashkar of 30,000 armed tribesmen, while Abdullah has 5,000 armed men associated with him. Both groups give training to local youth and organise cross-border attacks. Baitullah Mehsud is associated with JUI-F like Sadiq Noor in North Waziristan while Abdullah Mehsud is attached to Uzbek/Tajik groups.

The sources said that in the Ahmedzai Wazir tribe, there were 14 groups of Taliban until November 2006 but after the appointment of Mullah Nazir as commander, all of them were brought under one leadership. Two Taliban commanders, Ghulam Jan and Ifthikar, do not accept Mullah Nazir as commander. However, Mullah Nazir remains the most powerful Taliban commander. He and other Taliban commanders like Muhammad Umer, Sharif, Noor Islam, Maulvi Abbas and Javed are affiliated with JUI-F. A separate group under commander Zanjeer, associated with Gulbadin Hikmatyar of Hizbe Islami is connected to the Jamaat-e-Islami in Pakistan.

Taliban commander Noor Islam based in Wana is an active supporter of Uzbek/Tajik and rebel Arabs. Haji Khanan, who is against the presence of Uzbeks, is another important Taliban commander. He is based in the Shakai area of the agency. Uzbek commanders and Abdullah Mehsud groups are more active in attacks on supporters of the government, while Arab commanders are more active in cross-border attacks.

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