Wana Unrest Again
(CCNews Portal Correspondent - Pakistan ) PESHAWAR - At least two persons were killed while eight others were injured when fighting between the local tribesmen and foreigners again erupted in the suburban areas of Wana, the headquarters of South Waziristan Agency, Thursday shattering a week-old ceasefire in the troubled area.
However, officials said one person had been killed and many others injured in the clashes.
The fighting between the pro-government tribesmen and alleged Uzbeks started Wednesday evening and sporadic clashes continued throughout the day.
The clashes erupted when the tribesmen alleged the Uzbeks to have planted mines on the Chagh Ghundai-Azam Warsak section of the main
road.
Sophisticated weapons used from both sides
“Both the sides exchanged fires with sophisticated weapons and targeted each other’s positions with rockets,” eyewitnesses informed TheNation.
One of the killed persons has been identified as Zawar Ali, a local tribesman. He was allegedly extending support to Uzbek militants.
The local tribesmen have also claimed to have arrested five Uzbeks from a house in Wana. The members of Mulla Nazir headed peace committee have established checkpoints around Wana and didn’t allow any foreigner or suspected person to either enter or leave the town.
Meanwhile, Tank and its surrounding areas remained peaceful on Thursday allowing the local administration to lift curfew for two hours.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Dera Ismail Khan Zulfkar Cheema when contacted said, “ situation is under control and the whole Tank city has been sealed.” He said that during the relaxation hours people purchased essential commodities.
DIG Dera region comments
To a question, DIG Dera region said they are in close contact with the people from different walks of life and collecting information regarding those militants who are allegedly involved in destruction of banks and other government installations.
After that a crackdown would be launched against them, he added.
On the other hand, the eyewitnesses said that dozens of people were arrested from the various parts of Tank city who violated the curfew.
Meanwhile, in Wazirabad area one person was crushed to death by a speedy vehicle during the two hours relaxation in the curfew.
It is pertinent to mention here that a large number of people have left their homes in Tank fearing further attacks from the militants.
The security forces did not allow the suspects to leave the city, particularly no one is allowed to move from Tank towards Waziristan region.
AFP adds: The fresh clashes have shattered a week-old ceasefire in the tribal area.
“Fighting has started again between local tribesmen and foreigners and they are using heavy weapons and small arms in the Azam Warsak and Kalusha areas,” a local government source said.
The same areas have been wracked by violence since March 19 when ex-Taliban commander Mullah Nazir, who the government says has crossed to its side, ordered followers of Uzbek militant Tahir Yuldashev to disarm.
Yuldashev was formerly a close confidant of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, officials say.
A local tribal commander said that fighting would continue until all foreign militants were expelled from South Waziristan despite a deal brokered last week by Taliban militants.
“Though the jirga (tribal council) is still trying to negotiate a ceasefire, our position remains firm that all Uzbek militants should leave the area,” Haji Sharif, a supporter of Nazir told AFP.
Another local commander of tribesmen claimed capturing rebel bunkers, a school and a prison used by the foreign militants to hang and torture pro-government tribesmen, a private TV channel reported.
However, officials said one person had been killed and many others injured in the clashes.
The fighting between the pro-government tribesmen and alleged Uzbeks started Wednesday evening and sporadic clashes continued throughout the day.
The clashes erupted when the tribesmen alleged the Uzbeks to have planted mines on the Chagh Ghundai-Azam Warsak section of the main
road.
Sophisticated weapons used from both sides
“Both the sides exchanged fires with sophisticated weapons and targeted each other’s positions with rockets,” eyewitnesses informed TheNation.
One of the killed persons has been identified as Zawar Ali, a local tribesman. He was allegedly extending support to Uzbek militants.
The local tribesmen have also claimed to have arrested five Uzbeks from a house in Wana. The members of Mulla Nazir headed peace committee have established checkpoints around Wana and didn’t allow any foreigner or suspected person to either enter or leave the town.
Meanwhile, Tank and its surrounding areas remained peaceful on Thursday allowing the local administration to lift curfew for two hours.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Dera Ismail Khan Zulfkar Cheema when contacted said, “ situation is under control and the whole Tank city has been sealed.” He said that during the relaxation hours people purchased essential commodities.
DIG Dera region comments
To a question, DIG Dera region said they are in close contact with the people from different walks of life and collecting information regarding those militants who are allegedly involved in destruction of banks and other government installations.
After that a crackdown would be launched against them, he added.
On the other hand, the eyewitnesses said that dozens of people were arrested from the various parts of Tank city who violated the curfew.
Meanwhile, in Wazirabad area one person was crushed to death by a speedy vehicle during the two hours relaxation in the curfew.
It is pertinent to mention here that a large number of people have left their homes in Tank fearing further attacks from the militants.
The security forces did not allow the suspects to leave the city, particularly no one is allowed to move from Tank towards Waziristan region.
AFP adds: The fresh clashes have shattered a week-old ceasefire in the tribal area.
“Fighting has started again between local tribesmen and foreigners and they are using heavy weapons and small arms in the Azam Warsak and Kalusha areas,” a local government source said.
The same areas have been wracked by violence since March 19 when ex-Taliban commander Mullah Nazir, who the government says has crossed to its side, ordered followers of Uzbek militant Tahir Yuldashev to disarm.
Yuldashev was formerly a close confidant of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, officials say.
A local tribal commander said that fighting would continue until all foreign militants were expelled from South Waziristan despite a deal brokered last week by Taliban militants.
“Though the jirga (tribal council) is still trying to negotiate a ceasefire, our position remains firm that all Uzbek militants should leave the area,” Haji Sharif, a supporter of Nazir told AFP.
Another local commander of tribesmen claimed capturing rebel bunkers, a school and a prison used by the foreign militants to hang and torture pro-government tribesmen, a private TV channel reported.
posted by Pakistan Reports | 11:02 AM
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