Taliban leave Orakzai after elders’ warning

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
1

That is how Taliban should be controlled rather than using cluster bombs or carpet bombings to breed more Taliban.

KOHAT: Taliban leave Orakzai after elders’ warning -DAWN - Local; July 21, 2008

KOHAT: Taliban leave Orakzai after elders’ warning

By Abdul Sami Paracha

KOHAT, July 20: The Taliban holding several checkposts and schools in Orakzai tribal region started leaving the area after receiving warning from the elders of 18 main tribes on Sunday.

The political agent of Orakzai Agency, Kamran Zeb, while giving details of the action taken by the tribal elders, told Dawn that Taliban had vacated a government school in Ghiljo and Yakh Kandao checkpost without resistance.

He said that administration had strictly advised the tribal elders to expel the foreign militants hiding in the area who had shifted from Waziristan and Punjab in particular.

The elders were also told that in case they failed to restore the government’s writ, force would be used against them and that they should not put themselves in difficulty for the sins and crimes of non-local people.

To a question, Mr Zeb said that the foreign militants had started leaving the area according to the tribal traditions after the elders requested them to leave. An armed force would form to expel them if they did not honour the request of the elders, he added.

He said that all the 18 tribes had agreed that they would not allow a state within the state or disruption of peace in the area. The tribesmen would gradually take the message to other parts of Orakzai Agency where militants were involved in anti-state activities and were also proving help to their comrades in Hangu.

**The jirga members met Taliban leadership on Saturday evening and conveyed them the unanimous decision of tribal elders. They set a 24-hour deadline for Taliban to vacate the school and the checkpost.

The elders visited these areas after morning prayers to monitor the implementation of the decision and were satisfied when the Taliban started packing and leaving the area. But they were still present in some parts of Orakzai Agency.

Meanwhile, members of Karbogha union council in Hangu district decided on Sunday that anyone who provided shelter to the fleeing militants from Doaba and other parts would be fined Rs2 million.

The residents and councillors in a meeting, presided over by naib nazim of Karbogha, 15 kilometres from Doaba, said that a handful of miscreants would not be allowed to shatter peace of the area.

After consulting other members of the union council, Naib Nazim Hafiz Sultan said that anyone who sheltered or helped the militants in any way would be fined Rs2 million.**
There were also reports of the kidnapping of some people from the Tora Warai area by the militants on Saturday night.

2

Re: Taliban leave Orakzai after elders’ warning

Good.

But I hope that the Taliban don’t kill these elders like they kill other elders who cooperate with the government.

The Associated Press: Militants kill Pakistani tribal elder

KHAR, Pakistan (AP) — Suspected Islamic militants shot dead a pro-government tribal chief and wounded three other people in an attack early Monday near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, an official said.

Assailants opened fire on Malik Shahjehan Khan as he passed by in a car on the outskirts of Khar, the main town of Bajur tribal area, said Mohammed Habib Khan, a local security official. Shahjehan Khan died at the scene.

Another tribal chief who was in the same car with Shahjehan Khan, their driver and a passer-by were wounded in the shooting, the official said.

The security official said the slain tribal chief had opposed the presence of foreign Islamic militants in Bajur tribal area and had survived several previous attacks on him.

Taliban- and al-Qaida-linked militants operate in Bajur.

Scores of tribesmen have been killed in Pakistan’s tribal regions near Afghanistan in recent years after being accused of spying for the U.S. or collaborating with the Pakistani government.

Wht r u doing ?
Wht r u doing ?
3

Re: Taliban leave Orakzai after elders’ warning

Elder Shmelders!

That old Jirga system has miserably failed. Taliban aka Laton kay bhoot will not listen to the suggestions. Taliban are buying time to consolidate their gains. Just go back 10 years. Taliban have consistently signed treaties with elders and government and then broken them at their will.

No body wants to use cluster bombs so let's not overdramatize the war on Talib.

Talibans are nothing but the same old tribal cancer that has reared its ugly head just like it did in 1940s, 1910s, 1850s, and 1830s.

Tribals do not want to change their primitive ways. So they will use culture and religion to stop the forces of civilization.

There must be a short term solution for cutting out Talib cancer.

But the long term solution must be started and started soon. Tribal or Talib forces are powerful when the road infrastructure is poor. Pak government must start on war-footing a program to build major highways throughout tribal agencies.

Another change must come is the end of Frontier Crime Regulations and FATA system. Local people must be empowered. And one way to empower them is to dissolve tribal agencies or Jirga system.

It is time to change the status of FATA into a couple of provinces with their own assembly, CM, and governorships.

There is a urgent need for these changes if we want to end the Talib disease.

4

I really wish it was that simple for Taliban to leave. Why do you think they kill tribal leaders (as pointed out by mad_scientist)? They are only buying time, they'll come back stronger with probably more propaganda. They'll light fire somewhere inviting US/NATO bombing and boom people will be bombarded with Taliban propaganda and they'll be acceptable to the population.

5

Re: Taliban leave Orakzai after elders’ warning

After observing Talibans behaviour over the years, I have concluded that they are not better than any crime syndicate acting any where in the world, Taliban are working against Islam and State of Pakistan, they by their actions are giving all the right reasons to the invite the invaders.

Taliban are handful in that area, they are not popular niether they have sympathy in the area unlike Taliban of Afghanistan, they are symbol of brutality and crime. With all these limitations, So called taliban are very strong in the area, we need to find the answer, I will insist that Taliban does not have sympathy or support on ground.

On the other side, USA and Afghanistan are looking forward to a reason to invade Pakistan, USA in particular is looking forward to make this happen by October, and look who is helping US in this, ofcourse Taliban. In remember, when in last US elections, when Bush was struggling with his popularity, USAMA BIN LADEN came out to help him with his speech of invading USA ( incase Bush didn't win or with draw his forces from Iraq and Afghanistan). The Same tactic is being used again, this time the sentiment against the bush administration is lot more higher, so bush might comeout with another 9/11 attack in USA or in one of their key ally country (those western allies are likely to be target who have shown somewhat resistance or tiredness from so called war on terror). and in return the Taliban of Pakistan will be targeted.

I am sure unlike taliban of Afghanistan, these taliban will chicken out once the attack in launched and no one will hear about them, just like WMDs.

Dear guppy, i want to say....
6

Re: Taliban leave Orakzai after elders’ warning

Normality returns to Hangu -DAWN - Top Stories; July 22, 2008

Normality returns to Hangu

By Abdul Sami Paracha
KOHAT, July 21: Normalcy returned to major parts of Hangu district on Monday as security forces flushed out militants from trouble spots after a week of clashes. The militants are reported to have fled towards Kurram Agency.

Officials claimed that the law and order situation in Hangu had improved significantly after the militants withdrew from the region.

However, the military continued sporadic artillery shelling on the Zargari and Doaba hills.

A large number of people came out of their houses and bought food and other essential items after the administration relaxed curfew from 7am to 4pm and extended it till the evening.

A jirga, led by MPA Sayed Janan, Maulana Fazal Wahab and other clerics, met representatives of the Taliban at an unknown place to discuss restoration of peace after a ceasefire agreement on Monday afternoon.

District Nazim Khan Afzal told Dawn that the government had restored its writ after a long and difficult operation, but lasting peace in the region was still a far cry.

Meanwhile, militants in Darra Adamkhel blew up the remaining portion of a Khasadar checkpost in Akhorwal area on Sunday night after a lull of one month.

so which is it? Did Taliban leave because of tribal leaders told them to? Or did they leave because of the army/para-military operation?