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Expel Taliban or face action, govt tells Mohmand tribes

* Security forces pound Taliban hideouts in Machni
* Taliban claim responsibility for Charsadda suicide attack
* Security forces arrest 15 suspects in Machni, Haleemzai

By Mukarram Khan

GHALANAI: The political administration warned the Mohmand tribes on Thursday of imminent military operation if they did not sever ties with local and foreign Taliban.

It also asked Taliban to lay down weapons and surrender, officials told Daily Times.

“We warn the Mohmand tribes to sever ties with Tehreek-e-Taliban’s Abdul Wali group as the government is planning action against the group,” the Mohmand Agency administration warned the population in pamphlets. “Get all elements of Abdul Wali group out of your homes, otherwise they will be targeted by helicopters and jet bombers.” The warning comes as 50 percent of the population in Machni area left their homes following a troop build-up in the area close to Mohmand Agency.

“We inform the people of Mohmand Agency that the (outlawed) Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has attacked Islam and Pakistan by killing innocent Muslims. The TTP has [hurt the cause of] Islam more than ever before,” the Urdu language pamphlet read.

Taliban hideouts: Security forces continued pounding suspected Taliban hideouts in the Shnow Ghundo, Spray, Juma Khan Koroona, Kas Koroona and Mullah Ghani Baba areas in Machni, officials said. Details of Taliban casualties were not available.

Responsibility: Also on Thursday, Taliban in Machni claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s suicide attack on a security forces camp in Charsadda district. “We have carried out the attack to avenge killing of innocent people by the military,” Abid Khair Khwahee, purported spokesman for the Taliban in Machni area, told reporters by telephone. The Shabqadar Bazaar in Charsadda district was closed on Thursday and the Peshawar-Ghalanai highway remained closed for traffic.

Arrested: Security forces arrested six suspected Taliban in Kashmir Koor in a raid on a house in Haleemzai tehsil and nine suspects from Machni.

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