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Taliban reappear in Swat

* Army officials await govt’s directives before taking action

MINGORA: Armed supporters of rebel cleric Maulana Fazlullah reappeared in the Matta tehsil of Swat and were seen marching on the roads on Wednesday.

According to locals, commanders Iqbal Hussain and Ikramuddin led the armed militants — numbering between 40 and 45. The local Taliban marched in the Shakar Darra area, which is 500 metres from the Baryam checkpost. Neither the security personnel at the checkpost, nor the area police officials posed any resistance to the show of strength. Locals said that the militants were travelling to the Pisho Dherai area.

Meanwhile, sources in the area said that the local Taliban have completed renovations on the madrassa in Imam Dheri that had once served as headquarters for Fazlullah. They said that the Taliban would offer their Friday prayers in the mosque from which Fazlullah had broadcast his illegal FM radio station.

Awaiting orders: Army officials in Swat said that they were awaiting directives from the provincial government before taking action.

Fazlullah’s spokesman, Sirajuddin, said that the local Taliban were returning to their respective areas to resume their responsibilities. He hoped that Fazlullah would also return and restart his “mission”. staff report

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