It must have been a big show:
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/july-2004/26/main/top3.asp
I have come to clear Muslims' illusions, says Wasim Yemeni
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
GUJRAT-Wasim Yemeni, the chieftain of Al-Qaeda insurgents arrested from Gujrat on Sunday morning, during his surrender to the law enforcement agencies, kept on reciting Na'ara-i-Takbeer-Allah-O-Akbar. He was saying: "I have come here to clear Muslims' illusions". He even urged the policemen to let him go, as he was their Muslim brother. He even threatened the cops that they would have to face hell on the Judgement Day if they would kill him.
When Wasim surrendered himself at 7:30am, his accomplices were reluctant to follow, as they feared assassination in a fake encounter. Wasim asked them by a megaphone to surrender on which Tanveer, a Sudani by origin, came out of the house while reciting Kalma Tayyeba. Others followed him. Tanveer was saying he had come to Pakistan to urge Pakistani brethren to go for "jihad".
Gujrat DPO Raja Munawar, on the occasion, asked the terrorists why they were killing their Muslim brethren if they were true Muslims.
A large number of people had gathered on the crime scene and commended the police for showing bravery. The police had got vacated the nearby houses to avert any mishap. DIG, Gujranwala, also had promised the terrorists that they would be safe if surrendered.
Once the terrorists had surrendered, the policemen also chanted Na'ara-i-Takbeer.
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/july-2004/26/main/top8.asp
No early solution in sight
From Shamim Shahid
WANA, South Waziristan Agency - The economic sanctions on the tribesmen and the security forces operation apart, there seems no sure way-out that could offer easy solution to the ongoing crisis in the South Waziristan Agency.
There is also little role left for the 36-member committee, backed by the administration, after it was criticised by the politically aware and educated tribesmen who strongly oppose steps like demolition of houses and economic sanctions. During a visit by this correspondent to Wana and its adjoining areas, it was observed that poverty, backwardness, unemployment, and harsh policies on the part of political administration are the main reasons behind the ongoing crisis apart from suspected Al-Qaeda fugitives or militants hiding in parts and pockets of the agency. The tribesmen of the agency seem suppressed by the administration and no one could raise his voice for his basic rights. In such conditions even the tribal elders with different approach from the administration can not express their views openly on issues related to action against al-Qaeda.
Like the former colonial rulers, the political administration of the agency has kept divide and rule policy alive in South Waziristan Agency. Even the tribesmen are discouraged to tackle own issues through their traditional jirgas as the administration continues to impose own mind on them. The tribal jirga in consultation with the administration constituted a 36-member committee in. May last to resolve the problems erupted with alleged presence of al-Qaeda. However, the committee, as a result of administration dictations, was unable to complete its assignments and its dissolution was declared early this month by its chief Malik Baa Khan when educated and politically aware tribesmen expressed their disappointment over its performance.
The Political Administration was angered by this move as it was reluctant to welcome the educated tribesmen's move for politically handling the situation. At the moment there exists a gap between the tribesmen and administration. Neither the political agent is willing to talk with tribesmen other than members of 36-member (dissolved) committee nor he allows the educated and politically aware class to help him in handling the situation.
The Ahmadzai Wazir tribesmen even expressed their willingness to recognize the administration patronised (dissolved) committee, if its members convinced the political agent on lifting of the economic sanctions. These days a makeshift market has been established near the main Bazaar of Wana as thousands of shops are sealed for the last two months, thus the tribesmen continue to suffer economically and socially.
The tribesmen on the one hand are selling their locally-produced vegetables and fruits at lowest prices and on the other they are compelled to pay high prices for the daily-use items from other cities and towns of the regions. The sitting political agent Asmatullah Gandhapur is known for his long stay in South Waziristan Agency. Besides serving against other common offices, he remained Assistant Political Agent and Assistant political Officer in Wana and other parts of the agency for a long time. During this period, he on the one hand tightened his grip over the administration and on the other he had earned enmity and anger of the tribesmen, mostly from Ahmedzai Wazir and Mehsud tribesmen.
To many tribesmen Asmatullah Gandhapur has now become a party to the complicated issues of South Waziristan Agency rather than a judge. And it is the main reason why Ahmadzai and Mehsud tribesmen irrespective of their differences wanted replacement of Asmatullah Gandhapur by Azam Khan. Though majority of the suspected foreign al-Qaeda elements and their shelterers have been dented by the ongoing administrative action, some of them have assembled in Santoyee and Mantoyee.
The campaign against the al-Qaeda started from Tora Bora in Afghanistan and after passing through Shahi Kot, Angor Ada, Azam Warsak, Kalusha and Shakai valley, now it has reached Santoyee and Mantoyye. The Ahmadzai Wazirs dominate Santoyee while Mehsuds dominate Mantoyee. And these two areas are very close to the Shawal Mountains, connecting not only North and South Waziristan with each other but also Pakistan with Afghanistan. Though the government has made certain deployment in Shawal, it could become a challenge like Tora Bora or Shahkot.
Some people from within forces believe that a few hundreds of the militants still might be sheltering in the caves, constructed during the Afghan Jihad. Such militants, mostly from foreign countries might start another battle, they said. "They (militants) possess a huge quantity of modern and sophisticated weapons as well as cash amount, sources in military and paramilitary forces said. Even some time the forces face shortage of weapons and other logistics while there is no such problems for the militants. The forces have the only edge over the militants and that is the assistance and support from the Air Force.
Some of the official sources also claim that there is no more al-Qaeda in the region and paid agents are fighting against the security forces at the behest of India and Northern Alliance.
Ironically, in Wana and its surrounding areas no one is able to get a single bread or drinking water but the tribesmen are getting first-hand Audio and Video Cassettes along with Computer CDs every day. Such items contain provocative speeches, poems, songs (without music) and Naats in favour of al-Qaeda, Taliban, late Nek Mohammad and his associates. These activities also highlight torture of the prisoners in Guantanamo (Cuba), Abu Gharib, Bagram Air Base and others.
Beside use of cassettes in vehicles and homes, they are played through mosque loudspeakers and being listened by the tribesmen with great attention.
However, No one know about the source of these cassettes and CDs. "We are unable to understand how the administration allows distribution of these CDs and Cassettes, when they stop us from buying wheat flour for our children," one of the educated tribesmen said. He said it seems militancy is being injected among the tribesmen from South Waziristan Agency under a well-planned ways.
Instead of playing a role of silent spectator, politicians from all over NWFP should force the government for political solution of the matter rather paving way for the emergence of Nek Mohammad like militants.