Lashkar begins search for aliens
By Dilawar Khan Wazir
WANA, May 18: Around 1,200 armed volunteers of a tribal lashkar began a search for foreign militants in the South Waziristan tribal region of Azam Warsak about 15 km to the west of this regional headquarters here on Tuesday.
Allagai Wazir, who is heading the lashkar, asked residents in Azam Warsak to expel foreign militants. He said those found sheltering foreign militants would face demolition of their houses, a fine of one million rupees and banishment from the tribal territory.
"Such people will have no rights," Mr Wazir is said to have warned the tribesmen. The lashkar later returned to Wana and is expected to proceed to Raghzai, about 20 km to the west of here, to launch a similar operation there.
Local tribesmen are reported to have claimed that foreign militants had vacated the area and had moved to Shakai, Khamrung and Samtoi and the adjoining Shawal Mountains.
But governments officials overseeing the lashkar's manoeuvres here said they were not satisfied with the explanation and would want the lashkar to start showing results in terms of getting the foreign militants.
The lashkar was launched after talks between the authorities and tribesmen representing their foreign comrades over registration failed. Both sides now accuse each other of violating an agreement reached at Shakai on April 24.
According to the government the agreement required registration of foreign militants in return for an assurance allowing them to live peacefully in the area. Tribesmen now claim the registration of foreign militants was not a part of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan army has begun deploying troops at key points on the road from Wana to Jandola, Tiarza, Ladha and Sarwakai. Reports reaching here said that the government had sent in another three brigades to the region, raising the overall strength of the troops to about 30,000 for a possible operation in future.
The deployment of more regular troops is in addition to the paramilitary Frontier Corps already stationed in the region. Dawn has learnt on good authority that the government wants to seal off possible escape routes of foreign militants from South Waziristan into the North Waziristan tribal agency, and before taking any tough action it will try to use all means to resolve the issue peacefully.
http://www.dawn.com/2004/05/19/top4.htm
they're on the move...,pong
Is this a bad translation or do they really intend to execute journalists that are reporting bad news?
http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?newsId=en65304&F_catID=&f_type=source
Lashkar fails to nab any foreigner in Shakai area
WANA: The tribal Lashkar of Ahmadzai Wazir continued search for suspected foreign militants in Shakai area of South Waziristan Agency, but failed to nab any non-Pakistani despite hectic efforts.
The Lashkar comprising thousands of armed tribesmen searched Spirkai and other areas inhibited by Khojakhel, Khonikhel and Etikhel sub-tribes of Ahmadzai and spent the whole day to find any clue to the whereabouts of suspected foreigners. They also searched houses of the local tribesmen.
An elder from Shakai, Malik Jalil told the Lashkar that no foreign national was hiding in the area and warned that the house of the tribesmen would be demolished and heavy fines imposed on them if any foreign national was recovered from any place. He told the Lashkar that Rs one million fine would also be imposed on those offering protection to foreign nationals.
In light of the decision taken by the 36-member supervisory committee of tribals, six armed members of the Lashkar were tasked to stay in the area till Friday and report to the committee in Wana about the presence of suspected foreign elements, if any.
Addressing the Lashkar at Wana on return, Malik Baa Khan, Malik Saeedullah, Wallah Khan and Khaddin said it showed that no foreign national was spotted in areas where search operation was conducted by the Lashkar as these elements might have shifted to other areas before the operation. They said that the decision to go after the foreign elements was intact and the tribesmen would not rest till the issue was resolved and all the concerned parties were satisfied.
The speakers also warned the media people not to portray the issue in a negative manner and must not give the impression that South Waziristan Agency had become a safe haven for foreign terrorists. They said the journalists making negative reporting would be publicly executed. In a relative development, the government has transferred all three assistant political agents of the agency and asked them to hand over charge to the new officers to be posted soon.