Islamabad: The Pakistani Taliban on Tuesday warned all civilians, especially government and NGO employees, to immediately leave the volatile South Waziristan tribal region because of the “ongoing war”, according to a media report. A six-point notice in Urdu issued by the South Waziristan wing of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan a “blanket pardon” will be granted to those who voluntarily vacate areas under control of the Mehsud tribe. The notice is believed to have been circulated last week and also issued in Pashto.
“All persons are hereby warned that because of the ongoing war in South Waziristan, we strongly appeal that they evacuate the area,” the notice said. “No contractors, including NGOs, have been given permission or will be given permission (to operate in South Waziristan) and all these parties are considered our targets,” it said.
The Taliban offered amnesty to those who comply with the directive to encourage quick consolidation of their control over the restive tribal region, Newsweek Pakistan reported on its website.
“We announce a blanket pardon for all persons leaving the area. Any personnel – (working in) education, health, the local Levies, NGOs, etc – performing duties in the Mehsud areas will be considered criminals by our organization,” the notice said. Local tribal chiefs who signed agreements for the rehabilitation of South Waziristan and bringing in migrant people are “not free of collective criminality”, the notice said.
“All transporters and (social) organizers operating in Mehsud areas are also complicit in such crimes, which are unforgivable, so refrain yourself (from such activities),” the notice added.
The warning from the Taliban came days after the June 9 rocket attack on a check post that killed one personnel and injured three more. “The main purpose behind this pamphlet at such a time is to create chaos in Waziristan,” said Ayaz Wazir, a former diplomat who hails from South Waziristan. “I believe this is the consequence of drone attacks and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan’s belief that the army is complicit,” he said.
The Mehsud areas are under the influence of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander Wali-ur-Rehman Mehsud. The Wazir areas are under the control of commander Mullah Nazir, who is considered pro-government. Thousands of people were displaced from South Waziristan after fighting erupted between militants and the army in 2008. Despite the army carrying outs a major operation in 2009 to flush out the Taliban, the region has been rocked by violence. (PTI)