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Peshawarites too scared to step out

By Akhtar Amin

PESHAWAR: Locals are terrorised to see the fight against militants spilling from the Tribal Areas bordering Afghanistan to the streets and bazaars of the NWFP’s capital city, especially in view of the series of suicide bombings during the last two months.

While stepping out to perform duties, do business or go shopping, they strongly fear they may be the next target of the militants. Muhammad Hanif, who runs a teashop in Bazaar-e-Misgaran, told Daily Times on Sunday that he worked in a crowded bazaar and thus, could be targeted by militants, who had begun attacking places frequented by the people. On average, suicide bombings, bomb explosions and missile attacks occurred in the provincial capital once a week during 2009, according to local police. They say during 2006, there were occasional grenade attacks and explosions in the city but not a single suicide hit or rocket attack was reported. The proximity of Peshawar to the Tribal Areas where the Taliban and Al Qaeda militants have been regrouping for the last three years makes the capital city a feasible prize for the militants in the country’s war against militancy.

Worried about the possibility of the Taliban virtually taking over the city ‘before long’, the people say the authorities, especially law-enforcement agencies, are unable to protect their life and property.

“We are insecure. We feel no one can stop them (militants),” said Adnan Hussain, who lost nine family members in the October 28 Meena Bazaar suicide blast.

“I and my friends are too scared to go out. Whosoever step out fear he or she may not come back,” he said. Equally terrorised is Muhammad Aamir, a Peshawar University student. He said he felt scared as long as he stayed in Peshawar but was quite relaxed whenever left the city for hometown, Mardan. Some say the Pakistani forces are fighting the war of others and the people have to pay the price. Such a policy, they suggest, should be abandoned without delay.

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