Situation in SWA deteriorating gradually
Thursday, July 08, 2010
By Mushtaq Yusufzai
PESHAWAR: Situation in South Waziristan Agency (SWA) is gradually deteriorating as the political administration on Wednesday finally issued notices to the Sarkikhel sub-tribe of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe to hand over a tribesman, who allegedly rented out his house to foreign fighters, or face the consequences.
On the other hand, General Officer Commanding Kohat Maj-Gen Rizwan Akhtar held conclusive talks with a joint jirga of tribal elders and ulema at the Zyari Noor Army Camp in Wana and reiterated his previous directive to expel foreign militants, Punjabi Taliban and Mahsud fighters from their villages and towns.
Tribal sources told this scribe from Wana, principal town of South Waziristan, that tension in the region was mounting after the political administration issued notices to the Sarkikhel tribe, asking to hand over a tribesman, Halat Khan, or raise tribal lashkar against the unwanted non-local fighters in their area.
The political administration informed tribal jirga of the Sarkikhel tribe that those killed in a drone attack on June 29 at Ghwakhwa village near Wana included foreigners and Punjabi Taliban. The house where the militants were staying was owned by a local tribesman, Halat Khan Wazir, the officials told the Sarkikhel tribal elders. They said Halat Khan belonged to Sarkikhel tribe and had rented out his house to the foreign militants and Punjabi Taliban.
The authorities directed the Sarkikhel elders to hand over Halat Khan to the government within three days or raise tribal lashkar and take action against the tribesman under tribal customs and traditions.
The tribal elders were also directed to take action against the foreigners, Punjabi Taliban and Mahsud militants hiding in the area. In case of their failure, the authorities warned the Sarkikhel tribe of action under the draconian Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), which authorises the administration to suspend perks and privileges to the concerned tribe, commandeer their vehicles, seal their markets and properties and arrest their people.
To discuss their future line of action, the Sarkikhel tribe would hold its jirga at Azam Warsak town. Meanwhile, a jirga of tribal elders and ulema held its final meeting with GOC Maj-Gen Rizwan Akhtar in which the top military official once again directed them to take action against foreigners, Punjabi Taliban and Mahsud militants. He told them that their area had become a sanctuary for the non-local militants and asked them to expel as these people have been posing a serious threat to security of the area.
People in Wana subdivision feared their area was once again heading towards chaos. “It’s the same situation we experienced in 2003. First we raised tribal lashkars against foreigners on government’s order and then target killing of prominent pro-government tribal started. More than 300 elders were killed and finally the government launched military operation from Azam Warsak on March 16, 2003,” a tribal elder recalled the past bad days.
Pleading anonymity, he said the people have no means to take action against militants, whether they are local or foreigners, and finally the government would use force in which innocent people would have to suffer financial and human losses.
Situation in SWA deteriorating gradually