Monday, March 02, 2009
By our correspondent
MINGORA: Dealing a severe blow to the peace process, unknown men kidnapped six Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, including a commander, while suspected militants attacked a security forces’ convoy in Sarsenai area of Swat Valley on Sunday.
The incidents occurred at the time when Tanzim Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad warned both sides to refrain from destroying the peaceful atmosphere.
Sufi Muhammad also set March 15 deadline for the government to implement the Nizam-e-Adl across the Malakand division and the Kohistan district, and threatened to set up a protest camp in case the government failed to implement the Shariah before the expiry of the deadline.
The FC personnel were kidnapped from Qamber, a stronghold of the militants only three kilometres from here. No one had claimed responsibility for the kidnapping till the filing of this report.
Earlier, addressing a press conference at Madni Masjid here, Maulana Sufi Muhammad said any side — the government or the militants — that took lead in attacking the other in violation of the peace pact would be held responsible for the violation of the peace agreement. However, an hour after Sufi’s warning, the militants loyal to his son-in-law, Maulana Fazlullah, attacked a convoy of security forces.
A press release of security forces said that a logisticsí convoy of the forces was attacked with two improvised explosive devices in Sarsenai area of Kabal Tehsil. It said that the attacks were carried out when a soldier of the FC was being shifted from the area. The press release said the militants also fired at the convoy after the blasts, injuring two soldiers. The security forces also returned the fire, it said.
“The militantsí unwarranted attack is a clear violation of the peace agreement reached between the TNSM and the government. The security forces have informed the quarters concerned and called upon them to rein in the militants from attacking the security forces as per the spirit of the peace agreement. The security forces are exercising maximum restraint with a view to ensuring complete compliance of the peace agreement in order to have lasting peace in the valley,” the press release said.
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Swat chapter spokesman Muslim Khan said the convoy was taking ration and had not informed their committee they had formed to oversee the movement of security forces.
ìAccording to the peace agreement, they (security forces) will have to inform the committee members about the movement in advance,î he said, adding that the convoy was attacked because the forces had not taken permission from the three-member committee.
Sufi Muhammad in his press conference warned that they would set up a protest camp if the government did not implement the Nizam-e-Adl by March 15. The TNSM chief said he was not satisfied with the talks he had held with Afrasiyab Khattak and Arshad Abdullah on Friday and Saturday, asking both the sides to release all prisoners. He reiterated his resolve to make unflinching efforts for restoration of peace. “Our first priority is to bring back peace,” he declared.
Meanwhile, NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti is scheduled to undertake his maiden visit to the militancy-hit district today (Monday). He is expected to have meetings with elders and distribute cheques among the heirs of those killed or wounded during the military operation.
Source: www.jang.com.pk
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