Watching Swat [merged]

[Himalaya]

Re: Watching Swat

THIS ACTUALLY DOES NOT HAVE A LINK BUT ITS QUITE INTERESTING. WHY ARE NT THE GOVERNMENT SENDING REINFORCEMENT? IT SEEMS AS IF THE MILITANTS HAVE AN ELMENT OF FAIRNESS IN THEM AND STICK TO THEIR WORD - WHY CANT PAKISTANI POLITICIANS BE THE SAME?

SWAT, Nov 9: About 60 paramilitary soldiers taken hostage by militants on Thursday were released, while two security personnel were killed and 14 others injured in a blast in Swat on Friday.

The militiamen captured in Daroshkhela area were also given Rs1,000 each by the militants so that they could reach their areas.

Officials claimed that the number of soldiers captured was about 45.

Local people in Daroshkhela town on Matta-Kalam road told Dawn that a large number of militants had besieged a Frontier Constabulary fort on Thursday night and asked the militiamen to surrender.

The security personnel surrendered in the morning after getting assurance from the militants that they would not be harmed, sources said.

Witnesses said the captured soldiers were taken out of the fort with their hands tied.

Some of the captured soldiers complained that they had been running short of ration and the government had not been sending reinforcements.

“For the past couple of days we had been confined to the fort. We had no other option but to surrender,” said one of them.

“We had given our word to the militiamen that they would remain unharmed in our custody and be released. We have kept our promise,” said Mohammad Alam, a militant commander.

Witnesses said security personnel in two vehicles were patrolling in Kabal area when a roadside bomb exploded at Hazara village, killing two of them and injuring 14 others. The injured were taken to the Saidu Sharif Hospital.

Mr Alam told journalists that the militants would not leave Madyan town which they had taken over.

The militants had earlier left Bahrain and Kalam towns on the request of local elders.

The militant commander said the elders in the two areas were united and they could look after the law and order situation themselves.

“We believe that the people of Madyan are not in a position to control law and order, therefore, we will stay in the town,” he said.

Local people said the militants had set up their office in the police centre in Madyan and hoisted their white and black flags in the area.

[Himalaya]

Re: Watching Swat

THIS IS SOME INFO ABOUT THE PEOPLE INVOLVED ..I PULLED THIS FROM ANOTHER FORUM

Fazlulah Maulana Fazalullah, a thirty five years old resident of Mamderai, Swat is the most talked about personality in the region. He has a large number of followers many of whom are ready to sacrifice their lives and every thing for his cause. He was born in the house of Biladar Khan; a Pukhtun of Babukarkhel clan of the Yusufzai tribe of Swat. Biladar Khan was highly inspired by the TNSM movement (Movement for the enforcement of Shariah laws) patroned by Maulana Sufi Muhammad became one of the right-hand men of the Maulana. Finding himself even more devoted for the said cause, he sent his son, the then Fazal Hayat, now naming Fazalullah to his Madrassa (seminary) at Kumbar, Dir. This close and long association between the two ultimately got shaped into matrimonial relationship.

Biladar Khan is no more, Sufi Muhammad is in Prison but the son and son in law, Maulana Fazallulah, is leading the same movement, thus fulfilling the great wish of his father and father in law.

Fazalullah has made his native village Mamderai as headquarter of the TNSM, thus got it shifted from Kumbar, Dir to Mamderai, Swat.

Maulana has started his own F M radio channel for his preachings and having a big circle of listeners. Strange to say most of his listeners are the women folk.
During this period Maulana established close contacts with Red Mosque's Gazi Rashid and Faqir mamad of Bajawar.Jaish i mohamamad the banned militant organization was also accomodated, traing camps were established.
now a days they are at war with security forces.
Maulanana wish to implement taliban brand islam in swat.

Sirajuddin **Sirajuddin is probably the most important official after Fazlullah in the group. He is a cousin of Fazlullah as their fathers were brothers. He also belongs to Mamdherai and is based there despite the fact that the village has been bombed by gunship helicopters and is located just across river Swat from Mingora. Sirajuddin has emerged as the principal spokesman of Fazlullah, who has gone into hiding, and is accessible to the media. Sirajuddin, who also looks after the group's finances and has been overseeing the construction of the huge Omar bin Khitab mosque-cum-madrasa complex in Mamdherai, had studied in Afghanistan and was once a leader of the leftist **Democratic Students Federation (DSF). Now he is a changed and bearded man, championing the cause of Islam after having fought on the side of the Taliban in Afghanistan

[Captain1]

Re: Watching Swat

TI find it DISGUSTING that those who are taking the time to write millions of posts blasting the government for their emergency rule aren't taking the time out to reply in this thread.

Madam, to be honest the thread title wasn't as interesting, there are many other Swat threads where people are participating, so if you open one doesn't mean it will get similar attention.

Now if you can explain in simple words, is this Swat problem a recent one? It has been lingering on for sometime, what was government doing? Read Zakk's post. I have said it before and will say it again: Government is interested fighting insurgency only when it interests them either politically or internationally. This problem is just like Lal Masjid.

Don't be too judgemental where people's priorities/concerns lie.

[Himalaya]

Re: Watching Swat

THIS IS A BIT DISTURBING - WHO ARE THESE SANCTUARIES FOR? REFUGEES? THERES NO MENTION OF IT BEFORE OR AFTER...

BUT THE SECOND COMMENT SHEDS MORE LIGHT......

Last night, I talked to one friend who told me "sanctuaries" have been provided in another area as well i.e. in Utman Khel and Arang Barang at the confluence of rivers Dir and Swat and Malakand and Bajuar Agency ...This are is very isolated and mountanous area...Very close to Charssadda and Tangi...

It is called Prang Ghar ...probably...

---

My contacts are telling me that a large number of families from Swat have moved to Peshawar to escape the anarchy in Swat. A lot of people have moved from Waziristan and other areas affected by instability too. The rents of houses in Peshawar have soared due to the influx of internally displaced people.

The question is, are we heading towards the same situation as in Afghanistan in 1990s?

[Captain1]

Re: Watching Swat

THIS ACTUALLY DOES NOT HAVE A LINK BUT ITS QUITE INTERESTING. WHY ARE NT THE GOVERNMENT SENDING REINFORCEMENT? IT SEEMS AS IF THE MILITANTS HAVE AN ELMENT OF FAIRNESS IN THEM AND STICK TO THEIR WORD -** WHY CANT PAKISTANI POLITICIANS BE THE SAME?**

This is one of the reasons why "extremist-Islamists" are more likely to gain more powers when our politicians, governments, military will flip flop based on their interests and deny locals of their rights, justice etc.

[Captain1]

Re: Watching Swat

The question is, are we heading towards the same situation as in Afghanistan in 1990s?

If we don't seal the borders now the FATA will become Afghanistan of 90s, we need to surround the militants and isolate them from foreign aid/funding.

[bullehshah]

Re: Watching Swat

This is one of the reasons why "extremist-Islamists" are more likely to gain more powers when our politicians, governments, military will flip flop based on their interests and deny locals of their rights, justice etc.

You're absolutely right.

[PyariCgudia]

Re: Watching Swat

If we don't seal the borders now the FATA will become Afghanistan of 90s, we need to surround the militants and isolate them from foreign aid/funding.

I agree.

I can't find the story now, but the military found a whole arsenal of weapons being smuggled from the Irani border yesterday.

[Iconoclast]

Re: Watching Swat

@Mamaof3

My hub got in touch with his friend from swat last night. Extremely disturbing report. He and his family of 5 kids made it safely to Islamabad thank goodness. But his house is gone - his ancestral property from generations was burned to the ground. Taleban has completely taken over swat, they came in, rounded up 13 men and children at random and slit their throats. They told the people, we are here now, we are in charge now. If you dont follow our rule and our laws THIS is what happens to you. And they imposed their strict form of sharia. Police and local govt just gave in, unable to fight effectively. That was the state of affairs when our friend got out a few days back.

mamaof3
I am afraid that your friend is one lying dumbo. As cruel, violent and criminal the Taleban are, they haven’t resorted to indiscrimnate killing of ordinary people and killing of children has NOT happened at all.

Happeneings in Swat have been exclusively reported in Pakistan media, leading journalists have been in the area for years. No one has reported any such thing.

On the other hand they have been telling the governemnt that one of the reasons that Taleban have been able to recruit local youngmen in their ranks is the corruption of local police and district authorities who either protect the criminals or do not act.

If you want to look at how Pakistani media has been covering the area, look at this

http://www.google.com.pk/custom?domains=www.thenews.com.pk&q=swat&sa=Search&sitesearch=www.thenews.com.pk&client=pub-2130191416521927&forid=1&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&cof=GALT%3A%23008000%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23336699%3BVLC%3A3D81EE%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3A336699%3BALC%3A0000FF%3BLC%3A0000FF%3BT%3A000000%3BGFNT%3A0000FF%3BGIMP%3A0000FF%3BLH%3A50%3BLW%3A778%3BL%3A+http%3A%2F%2Fthenews.com.pk%2Fimages%2Ftop_for_g.jpg%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenews.com.pk%3BFORID%3A1&hl=en

[PyariCgudia]

Re: Watching Swat

^ Wow, thank you SO MUCH for sharing!!! Its so clear now what angels the Taleban are, and how they are so peaceful and so kind and benevolent in their actions to the people of Pakistan. Yes, indeed, we should all put down the Pakistani flag and put up the Taliban flag. So, Iconoclast, when do you plan on putting up the black and white flag up in your home? And are you going to give Maulana Fazlullah and his croonies an invite to your home, so that you can maybe help fund these peaceful endeavors?

[Iconoclast]

Re: Watching Swat

@PyariCgudia

^ Wow, thank you SO MUCH for sharing!!! Its so clear now what angels the Taleban are, and how they are so peaceful and so kind and benevolent in their actions to the people of Pakistan. Yes, indeed, we should all put down the Pakistani flag and put up the Taliban flag. So, Iconoclast, when do you plan on putting up the black and white flag up in your home? And are you going to give Maulana Fazlullah and his croonies an invite to your home, so that you can maybe help fund these peaceful endeavors?

What really is your beef PCG.

Who’s job was it to fight off Mulla Fazlullah? sure not me.

When did Mulla Fazlulla start his activities? 2005

WHen did media start reporting on Mulla Fazlulla? 2005

When did Mulla Fazlulla gain power to control Swat? 2007

How had absolute power since Oct 99 in Pakistan? Musharraf.

And trying to associate every crime possible with Taleban is not what is going to win the war against them.
Did Taleban behead Pakistani soldiers? Yes
DO they kill innocent by suicide bombs? Yes
Do tehy randomly pick local children and slit their throats? NO

[Khehkeshan]

Re: Watching Swat

Why would taliban do such a thing? What were there last words"we are killing this child because we are taliban"

Jihadi murderers are insane, how should I know what is going on thier twisted heads? Go ask them in Tora Bora.

[Khehkeshan]

Re: Watching Swat

no need to get emotional...this friend...did he witnessed the slaughter himself or he too heard it from some1 else? its very easy to spread false info like this when there is so much chaos and uncertainty all around.

as for losing mind, lets not forget we read / see such stuff every day, whether its in pak (if happening), afghanistan, iraq, palestine, kashmir, Chechnya, etc. you are over reacting bcos it happened (if) to some1 u know / are related to. but we tend to ignore those who had gone through the same ordeal but are not related to us thus their suffering means nothing.

No matter what, you will always side with the terrorists won't you? Any piece of information that is against the army which is fighting the terrorists you will take you one nanosecond to believe, but on the contrary you will not believe anything even if reported in press about the taliban terrorists.

[Khehkeshan]

Re: Watching Swat

first : whether we agree or don't, madman mushy didn't do anything years ago, or months ago or weeks ago. so us agreeing on anything means nothing.

2nd: BB is not in power, immy is not in power...who is in power? my guess is as good as yours. to be in power for more than 8 years, this is where he stands on his war on terrorism, losing areas of pakistan. wht the hell is our army doing? killing innocent civilians while terrorists are free to do whatever they want to do. BB, immy or any other political leader maybe be the right person to fight terrorism BUT lets not get carried away and assume MUSHY will do a better JOB. after 8years of dictatorship and barbaric policies, we are now losing parts of pak thanx to madman mushy's incompetency.

1: Agreeing with the premise is the very first thing in this line of thinking. Mushy delayed, I agree. Only other option would have been to go in 2005 or whenever Fazlu started his terror campaign and kill him and his followers. Same should have been done with Ghazi and other idiots. We should have started our war on terror way before 9/11, but sadly we only woke up after that event.

2: And thank god she is not in power, neither is Immy. If you think Mush is that bad, just imagine BB on 9/11 and what decisions or indecisions she would have taken. She would have been completely ineffective. Immy would have just made his buddy Mullah Omar President of Pakistan.

And once again you tell the lie of army killing innocent people and letting terrorists go free. When 1000+ soldiers have died, you have the nerve to continue to repeat your lies without providing any proof whatsoever. Do you think it was the innocent civilians who killed and beheaded so many soldiers? The terrorists alone are responsible for their actions and when Mushy tries to take any action, it is people like you who lie and say he killed innocents like in lal masjid and waziristan operations. How is anyone supposed to do their job with so many like-minded traitors in their midst?

And you obviously don't care for Pakistan and want it to break up as per your own words. You are just pretending to be against the jihadis in order to blame Mush, when in fact you love and welcome their terror.

[Khehkeshan]

Re: Watching Swat

why condemn the taliban? why not condemn america first? there are so many people, groups and countries to condemn. are we condemning the taliban because of what we feel is wrong/right or because america is telling us to do it? sadly for pakistan the latter is more appropriate.

pakistan having its own foreign policy would be more appropriate.

Why not condemn Russia first or maybe Germany or Japan while we are it? Swat is not being overrun by the Americans or Sri Lankans. This is not a foreign policy issue, unless you think Swat is a foreign territory now.

[PyariCgudia]

Re: Watching Swat

No matter what, you will always side with the terrorists won't you? Any piece of information that is against the army which is fighting the terrorists you will take you one nanosecond to believe, but on the contrary you will not believe anything even if reported in press about the taliban terrorists.

Oh, you see, they don't give a *. We have a Gup Member reporting what she's hearing from family and friends from the area, and they think she must be lying.

If they're brutal enough to hind behind innocent people during an airstrike, then they're brutal enough to kill a kid who might have challenged them. Should be pretty intuitive.

But they'll just make assumptions of the military and of Musharraf. But, oh no, they need full documented video proof to believe what the Taliban are doing.

[Iconoclast]

Re: Watching Swat

Oh, you see, they don't give a *. We have a Gup Member reporting what she's hearing from family and friends from the area, and they think she must be lying.

If they're brutal enough to hind behind innocent people during an airstrike, then they're brutal enough to kill a kid who might have challenged them. Should be pretty intuitive.

But they'll just make assumptions of the military and of Musharraf. But, oh no, they need full documented video proof to believe what the Taliban are doing.

Have learnt the tricks of lying from BB or from Musharraf.

I said theperson who told you is lying. And she never said that kids challenged them, according to the person who told her, they randomly picked up the kids and slit their throats. No such incident has been reported in Pakistani media, and i beleive that if it had happened, it wud have been reported.

Now you can concoct some new lies.

[PyariCgudia]

Re: Watching Swat

How the hell can it be reported when most of the journalists are either behind bars or too scared to come out and report a story? Have you noticed how few stories are in Jang newspaper these days? Every day, I MAYBE get one small blurb of what's going on.

Hence the purpose of this thread for people who might have family or friends that can provide more detail.

So, uh, lets stick to the topic , shall we? Unless you know people in the area that are reporting that life is now roses that they're not Pakistanis anymore, and are now Talibanistanis, then please run along and play in other threads.

[saieen]

Re: Watching Swat

No matter what, you will always side with the terrorists won't you? Any piece of information that is against the army which is fighting the terrorists you will take you one nanosecond to believe, but on the contrary you will not believe anything even if reported in press about the taliban terrorists.

i will side with the truth whether against pak army or in favor of taleban. i'm against the killings of civilians by the army and i'm against the killings of civilians by the taleban. thats my stand on this issue.

[Iconoclast]

Re: Watching Swat

Stories carried in Jang about Swat

http://www.google.com.pk/custom?domains=www.thenews.com.pk&q=swat&sitesearch=www.thenews.com.pk&client=pub-2130191416521927&forid=1&ie=ISO-8859-1&oe=ISO-8859-1&cof=GALT%3A%23008000%3BGL%3A1%3BDIV%3A%23336699%3BVLC%3A3D81EE%3BAH%3Acenter%3BBGC%3AFFFFFF%3BLBGC%3A336699%3BALC%3A0000FF%3BLC%3A0000FF%3BT%3A000000%3BGFNT%3A0000FF%3BGIMP%3A0000FF%3BLH%3A50%3BLW%3A778%3BL%3A+http%3A%2F%2Fthenews.com.pk%2Fimages%2Ftop_for_g.jpg%3BS%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenews.com.pk%3BFORID%3A1&hl=en