Pakistan: Tribesman decide to take on militants

adnkronos.com ^ | August 18 , 2008 | AKI/DAWN

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Khar, 18 August (AKI/DAWN) - Hundreds of tribesmen in the Mohmand area in the troubled Bajaur agency have vowed to resist the local Taliban as security forces continued their operation in the troubled region.

Reports said that at least 20 militants had been killed in different areas of the agency on Saturday and Sunday.

The militants, meanwhile, shot dead two tribesmen in Alizai area.

Troops, backed by helicopters, have been using heavy artillery in the operation.

Local people said that armed volunteers were patrolling Lar Kali and Ber Kali round the clock to stop the Taliban entering the areas.

They said that anti-Taliban sentiments were intensifying and the tribesmen decided not to allow militant activities in their area.

Groups of people in Khar, the regional headquarters of the agency, are patrolling the town to check movement of the militants.

Displaced families, meanwhile, started returning to their homes after the political administration assured them that they would be provided protection.

Assistant political agent Iqbal Khattak told Pakistani daily Dawn that the government’s writ had been restored in Khar and security forces had started patrolling areas which had earlier been besieged by the local Taliban.

The militants had also taken control of the main roads in the region and cut off the area from the rest of the country.

“Situation is normal now and people should start routine activities,” said Khattak.

He said that about 130 displaced families had returned to the town on Sunday.

Officials said that over 250,000 people had left Bajaur for other areas after security forces launched an operation.

Sources said that troops attacked two vehicles in Mulla Syed area on Saturday evening and killed eight militants.

Suspected strongholds of the militants came under fire in Inayet Kali, Mulla Kali, Jar, Haji Lawang, Jar and Damadola.

According to sources, 12 militants were killed when some the positions held by them were heavily bombed.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

H/T to the Strata Sphee Blog for pointing out this article.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Strata Sphee Blog === Strata Sphere Blog

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

news ping!

[Allegra]

Hmmm....emblodening the local people to fight the terrorists instead of just knuckling under to them.

What a novel idea.

Wonder who started that concept? ;-)

[elhombrelibre]

A tribal awakening in Pakistan? ping

[Londo Molari]

“A tribal awakening in Pakistan? ping”

Maybe that explains the resurgence in activity in Afghanistan. They are getting kicked out of Pakistan?

[wolfpat]

I’m wondering about a connection between that, and this:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2063610/posts

[manic4organic]

Well, it certainly wasn’t the Dims.

[Straight Vermonter]

We have had a few of these types of reports. I hope the Pakistani government backs the tribes with money, weapons and training as we have in Iraq.

[elhombrelibre]

I don't think there is any relationship between these two events, but I'd be happy to be wrong. Whatever can inspire the native tribesmen to turn on these evil bastards if fine with me.

[wolfpat]

Do you think this changes the dynamic of us going into Pakistan to get Osama? If I understand things correctly, the main reason we stayed out was to keep from undermining Musharraf. With him gone, what’s to keep us out now?

[elhombrelibre]

I think we've not gone in there because of the terrain, the population, and the fact that Pakistan is a volatile country with nuclear weapons that could get worse if the sitting government were overthrown by Muslem nut cases angry about a US invasion. It doesn't mean it cannot be done. It merely means there are huge risks, and, so far, only Barak Obama has been willing to say he's going to do it. Of course, that's all just rhetoric.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

I would suggest Obama go right into Pakistan now to ‘negotiate’ with the Taliban..but that probably would be “above his pay grade”.

[SunkenCiv]

Ooooh, thanks Ernest! It’s rockin’ now. I feel inclined to shout across the aisle, “Enjoy the convention, Demwits!” :’D

Deputy Emir Of Pakistani Taliban Killed In Bajaur District
(Maulana Faqir Muhammad)(Unconfirmed)
Jawa Report | August 16, 2008 08:31 PM | Newbie
Posted on 08/18/2008 9:21:09 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2063782/posts

[SunkenCiv]

Musharraf out, Tribal Awakening in? While he was in power, he should have rounded up the Islamic terrorists in the “intelligence” “services” of Pakistan, and executed them without trial. Save us having to snuff ‘em out all covert-like.

[SunkenCiv]

I would suggest Obama go right into Pakistan now to 'negotiate' with the Taliban..but that probably would be "above his pay grade".

;') And let's keep it that way! :'D

[TigersEye]

I was wondering when this would happen. These people haven’t been controlled by anybody for centuries. It just had to be brought home that the Taliban was bringing them trouble.

[Marine_Uncle]

So these people are finally waking up. Like in Iraq as we are all well aware as well as other Islamic countries, people get tired of being ruled by fanatics once their families are immediately affected.
Hopefully we shall start reading about massive numbers of Saudi and other jihadist along with the local gentry being killed off.
The irony builds. Most everything GWB has said for the past seven years regarding radical Islam and how to put it into check is coming to be.
The L/MSM are going to have to work overtime to try to shield the miserable commies in Congress and their two potential POTUS contenders from exposer.

[elhombrelibre]

He's going to regret using that expression.

[elhombrelibre]

I sure hope you’re right that they’ve finally woken up.