Farhat Taj: Life in Swat after the peace deal

On Feb 16 a peace agreement was signed between Sufi Mohammad, leader of the Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) and the government of the NWFP with complete blessing of the PPP-led federal government.

Sufi Mohammad reached Swat with a promise to convince his son-in-law, Maulana Fazlullah, and his fighters to surrender weapons for the sake of peace.

Two months after the peace deal, how is life in Swat? What is happening to people? Is the peace deal working?

‘The peace deal is not working and will fall sooner than later,’ veteran ANP politician Afzal Khan Lala tells me. He is the only politician who is still standing up to the barbaric Taliban in Swat despite several death threats and the demands of his old age — the rest of the ANP leadership has fled the area.During a telephone conversation, he elaborated: 'The peace deal has been made by non-Swatis. People of Swat have not been taken into confidence on the deal. Also, I was never consulted by the ANP government in making of the peace deal.’

Day-to-day happenings in Swat clearly indicate that the apprehensions of Afzal Khan Lala are not misplaced and the peace deal has been strengthening the writ of the Taliban over Swat's 5,337-square-kilometre area. The Taliban have made the 1.7 million people of Swat hostage, and the people continue to suffer. The government in Swat seems helpless and paralysed. I will elaborate it with some examples.

Fazlullah, the leader of Swat Taliban, led the prayer at his home village, Mamdirai on Friday, April 3. He was warmly received by his followers, as well as military officials and officials of the district administration. Those who prayed behind him were key military and civil officers—including Brigadier Tahir Mubeen, Syed Javed Hussain, the commissioner of Malakand region, Khushhal Khan, the DCO of Swat, Danishwar Khan, Swat's DPO and the man in charge of Operation Rah-e-Haq. After the prayers Fazlullah gave an emotional and threatening speech which was heard with zeal and respect by all, including the military and civil officials, like obedient subjects. How funny is it that key state functionaries are praying behind the terrorist who killed soldiers of the Pakistani army, NWFP police officers and civilians of the Valley.

During the telephone conversation with this writer Afzal Khan Lala said: ‘There cannot be two swords in one sheathe. There cannot be two kings of one land. In Swat one king is Fazlullah and the other the government.’ The conduct of the state functionaries in Swat showed who the real king of Swat is. The people of Swat owe an explanation from the Pakistani army and the government of the NWFP. Would the army care to explain why its commander in Swat was offering namaz behind the terrorists who killed soldiers of the army and policemen? Would the ANP government care to explain why its senior-level government servants pray behind a terrorist who killed civilians in the very constituency that elected the ANP to power? It is also pertinent to mention that police in Swat have registered at least 60 cases related to suicide bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civilians, police and armed forces and damage to public and private property against Fazlullah.

Taliban have created their own income-generation sources in Swat. They have taken over the possession of the famous Mingora emerald mines. Mingora city is the district headquarters and a busy commercial centre of the valley. The Shamozai emeraled mine, some 25 kilometres from Mingora and now the Gujaro Killay emerald mine in the adjacent district of Shangla are also under the control of the Swat Taliban. Mining is in progress in these mines and precious stones are auctioned in the premises of the Mingora mine every Sunday, where the dealers from all over Pakistan come for shopping. Federal and provincial governments have kept silent over this looting and plunder of State properties.

The Taliban are in league with the timber mafia. They are mercilessly cutting the forests of Malamjaba, Fatehpur, Miandam and Lalko. They also cut the fruit orchards of the landlord opponent to them. The fruit orchards in Barabandi, on the main road and near to army check post, have been cut down in broad daylight. Barabandi is some six kilometres from Mingora.

The Taliban have plundered the Training Institute for Hotel Management (Paitahm), a joint venture of Pakistan and Austria, and the Malam Jaba tourist resort. The Taliban have carried away its furniture, Computers and electric appliances, even its doors, windows and ventilators. They have established a warehouse in Barabandai where all these things are auctioned. The Taliban call it mal-e-ghanimat (war booty). This is another of the income-generation sources of the Taliban.

The Taliban militancy is spreading towards the lower part of Malakand. The Taliban have banned women from markets and bazaars in Batkhela and Thana towns in Malaknd. Thana's Mina Bazaar, a famous market popular with women, has been razed to the ground.

There are several new training camps in Swat where the Taliban train teenage boys for militancy. The boys belong to the schools that have been destroyed by the Taliban. Lack of occupation and the jihadi preaching of the Taliban turn Swat's young men to jihad. Their schools are destroyed.

The Taliban have banned TV and music and playing of cricket. The young men have no activity and the Taliban constantly invite them to jihad. Hundreds of boys have joined the training camps, most of them without the permission of their parents. According to the Taliban's version of jihad, parents' permission is not needed at all. The helpless parents have nobody to ask for help in order to stop their children from joining the Taliban. The Taliban threatens parents who stop their children from joining the so-called jihad.

Some months down the road Pakistani right-wingers and so-called liberal leftists obsessed with anti-Americanism will say that the Taliban are popular in Swat and the proof is that their ranks have grown. But today no one is paying attention to the plight of the helpless parents who earnestly wish to stop their children joining the ranks of the Taliban but have no one in the entire Pakistan to help them.

The Swat Taliban sent 350 fighters to strengthen the Dir Taliban. People in Dir have made a local people's army against the Taliban. To combat the local people's army the Dir Taliban sent an SOS call to the Swat Taliban, who sent armed Taliban to Dir to slaughter the people of Dir.

More than a hundred Taliban crossed from Swat into the adjacent district of Bunair on April 5. Arms clashes have been reported between the militants and the armed lashkar. The army has vacated many check posts on the demand of the militants in Swat. The Taliban are not allowing the army to enter the areas that they were occupying.

Commenting on this situation Afzal Khan Lala said: ‘The army will meet tough resistance and will suffer a great deal when retaking the area because the Taliban have strengthened their positions in Swat.’

The writer is a research fellow at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Research, University of Oslo, and a member of Aryana Institute for Regional Research and Advocacy.

Email: bergen34@yahoo.com

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=172210

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Swat: Interview with Afzal Khan Lala - by Rahimullah Yusufzai

"They need support…"

-- Mohammad Afzal Khan, ANP leader and the hero of Swat



By Rahimullah Yusufzai

The 82-year old Mohammad Afzal Khan has emerged as a hero in Swat and beyond, to those who oppose the Taliban ideology. At a time when almost every politician and landlord, known as Khans, has moved out (of Swat) to escape harm at the hands of the militants, Afzal Khan has refused to leave his village, Bara Drushkhela, located in the Taliban stronghold of Matta. He has politely declined requests from relatives, his political colleagues from the Awami National Party (ANP) and well wishers to abandon Swat.

The militants have attacked his house a few times. He was injured in a roadside ambush in which his two bodyguards were killed and his nephew and Matta tehsil Nazim Abdul Jabbar Khan were wounded. His two other nephews were killed in another attack by militants, who have repeatedly threatened to eliminate Afzal Khan.

The News on Sunday: President Asif Ali Zardari recently phoned you and praised your courage while the Army chief, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, arranged for you to be flown in a military helicopter to the Frontier Constabulary centre at Kanju in Swat for a meeting. What transpired in the President's phone call and your meeting with Kayani? Do you think the military's new operations in Swat are more focused and targeted?

Mohammad Afzal Khan: The President offered support in the battle against militants. General Kayani invited me for a meeting to offer consolation and backing and discuss the Swat situation. It was my first meeting with the General and I found him a sober, sincere and determined man. For the first time in the last two years of military operations in Swat have I found the security forces to be on the offensive. In the past, the Taliban were on the offensive and the troops were on the defensive. The three military strikes in Manglawar, Ningolai, Charbagh and Matta in which the army claimed to have killed several militants were focused and intense.

TNS: You have been seeking support of the government and the forces to arm the people and raise village militias to defend their villages against the Taliban. Do you think the authorities would now accept your proposal? Will this initiative succeed or trigger further clashes between the militants and villagers?

MAK: I made this proposal about 10 months ago but nobody in the government responded positively. My plea is that the people of Swat are mostly unarmed and are, therefore, at the mercy of the militants. Besides, the Swatis have lived under authoritarian rulers in the past and become somewhat subdued. The fear of the Taliban who terrorise the population through beheadings and target killings has snuffed the life out of our people. They need support so that their spirit could be revived. Moreover, the army cannot guard every village and street after having carried out military action and defeated the militants. In the absence of an effective police force and lack of the civil armed forces, the local people would be required to defend their towns and villagers and keep the Taliban at bay. For this purpose, the government must arm and equip them to fight the militants.

TNS: Many people in Swat and outside the valley were critical of the military until now for not doing enough to defeat the Taliban. What do you think was lacking in the military operation against the militants?

MAK: Once an army officer reportedly said that the military should not take sides in the conflict in Swat. I wondered why such a statement was made. The military has to take sides as the government writ has been challenged by a group of militants who want to set up a parallel administration and impose their will on the people. They are using heavy arms and strongarm methods to extend their writ at a time when the law-enforcement agencies in Swat are paralysed and the civil armed forces are nowhere to be seen. It is a battle between the state and the Taliban. The state in such circumstances must stand with those people who are refusing to bow before Taliban and offering sacrifices while resisting the militants. The military is now changing its tactics and is ready to fight back and stand with the people who are willing to die fighting the Taliban.

TNS: Your name tops the list of the 47 men wanted by the Taliban in Swat. You have been ordered to appear before their Shariat courts. Comment.

MAK: I have done nothing wrong and am at a loss to understand why am I being targeted. I am also very religious. And so is my family. However, we don't accept the Taliban interpretation of Islam.

TNS: Why did your party leaders not consult you before inking a peace deal with Taliban in Swat? Is Asfandyar Wali Khan or NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti in touch with you now on the issue?

MAK: The peace accord was signed in a hurry and the ANP leadership and the provincial government agreed to certain measures that were beyond its powers. Military officials have been complaining that the peace accord emboldened the militants and gave them time to regroup for fighting fresh battles. The peace agreement was doomed when the Taliban started destroying schools and their spokesman, Muslim Khan, claimed responsibility for these attacks. Strangely, the provincial government was defending the agreement and claiming that the militants weren't involved in the attacks on schools. However, I don't want to create difficulties for ANP. In any case, one political party cannot resolve the entire problem. I don't complain that Asfandyar Wali hasn't phoned me because he has been ill. As for the chief minister, I was told he called but was unable to locate me. (The News on Sunday)
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Constable Shah said: “Taliban have given us a new life. We had been under the siege for 36 hours and pleaded for reinforcements, but nobody helped".

30 security men freed after ‘promising to quit force’

Dawn Report

MINGORA/TIMERGARA, Feb 4: The Taliban in Swat set free 30 police and paramilitary personnel in the presence of journalists in Kotli Dadhara area of Kabal tehsil on Wednesday, after securing written promise from them that they would quit their government jobs.

“The hostages have been released on humanitarian grounds, but with a condition that they will quit their jobs and never fight against the Taliban,” local Taliban leaders told newsmen after a meeting of the Taliban Shura.

The security personnel were kidnapped on Tuesday when the militants overran a police checkpoint in Shamozai area adjacent to the Lower Dir district. The area had been under siege for 36 hours.

The security personnel surrendered when they ran out of ammunition and their request for reinforcements from the army base camp in Kabal went unheeded, a freed policeman said.

“We fought the Taliban the whole day, but at night we ran out of ammunition and we had no other option but to surrender,” the policeman said.

The Taliban blew up the checkpoint and took the personnel they had captured to their stronghold of Kabal on Wednesday morning.

Constable Kiramat Shah said: “Taliban have given us a new life. We had been under the siege for about 36 hours and pleaded for reinforcements, but nobody came to our help.”

Taliban leaders said the released personnel would publish advertisements in local newspapers, announcing their resignation and promising never to take part in any future action against Taliban.

The Taliban’s siege of the checkpoint triggered shelling from the military base in Kabal, Swat and Chakdara Fort.

Four civilians were killed in the shelling.

Local people said the victims were taking breakfast when mortar shells hit their homes, killing them on the spot.

Meanwhile, militants torched the house of a close relative of ANP’s senior leader Afzal Khan Lala in Bagh Dehri area in Taliban’s stronghold of Matta on Wednesday night.

Local people said that a large number of armed men attacked the house and the adjacent guest house of Khursheed Khan, a nephew of Afzal Khan Lala. They asked the watchmen to leave the compound and set fire to the houses. Mr Khursheed had already left the area.

Unlike MNAs and MPAs elected from the troubled Swat valley, Afzal Khan, a former federal minister, has not left his native Daroshkhela village despite several attempts made by Taliban to kill him and his relatives. (Dawn)

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Related news: Source: http://www.grandtrunkroad.com/


Taliban kidnap 30 Pakistani policemen

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) — Taliban militants kidnapped 30 Pakistani policemen after a punishing day-long siege, in an embarrassing blow Wednesday for the army battling to win back control of the Swat valley.

The abduction, carried out at night when police and army reinforcements had suspended efforts to break the siege, underscores the huge challenges facing the security services.

Despite a wave of government offensives, the military has failed to impose its authority on the valley, a scenic former holiday region near the border with Afghanistan.

Thousands of Taliban besieged a police station in the area of Shamozai on Tuesday. The army was mobilised to rescue the police and break the circle of rebels, security officials said.

Clashes continued throughout the day but as dusk fell, the operation was suspended. Then, overnight, the Taliban broke into the office, kidnapped the officers and blew up the building, said Swat police chief Dilawar Khan.

Khan said the rebels kidnapped 30 policemen.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jTWd8JN-emFSBVolE6KAjBPLAxPg

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Article on BBC Urdu dot com

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2009/02/090204_forces_abducted_taliban_rh.shtml

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A cops' nightmare

Police recruitment in Swat suffers badly as officials avoid postings in the Valley and the deployed force is demoralised


By Javed Aziz Khan

The situation in most parts of the Frontier and Fata has come to a point where the security forces' personnel have refused to be posted in turbulent towns, even against better salaries and more incentives. A large-scale desertion has been witnessed in Frontier Police and Frontier Constabulary since they became the prime target of terrorist attacks. The situation is worse in Swat where a large number of cops have quit their jobs and published adverts in local newspapers so that the militants would know they are no more fighting against them.

Recruitment in Swat police was announced on many occasions in the past year but very few candidates turned up for jobs. The rest decided not to join till peace is restored in the valley. The government even relaxed the criteria for these jobs but the tactic didn't work.

The most shocking news, however, was the en bloc refusal of about 600 specially trained commandos of the newly set up Elite Police Force (EPF), who said collectively that they would rather be dismissed. The services of these commandos were placed at the disposal of district police officer Swat and they were supposed to join duty in the first week of January. But none of them went to the troubled valley. Parents of the newly trained commandos also refused to send their children to the war-hit region where cops had been slaughtered and strangulated publicly.

Refusal of such a large number of policemen to join duty in Swat puzzled the authorities who later decided to deploy the EPF cops in Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat and Hangu.

"We are not afraid of being killed but we have certain reservations on the role that the police force has been assigned in the region. If we alone are allowed to clear Swat (of terrorists), we are ready," opined a young commando, requesting anonymity.

The cop said that there must be a mechanism of providing ration and other logistics to the EPF cops, like army men, so that none of them will have go to bazaars for shopping and be ambushed.

It may be mentioned here that a large number of policemen and FC personnel were caught by the militants from different trade centres or bus stands. Four cops were brutally murdered in Swat recently. The body of one Gul Islam was mutilated and his face disfigured. The head of another, Javed, was slit with a drill machine while Aziz, a driver, was slaughtered after his family could not arrange the ransom money. Another unidentified cop was also killed last week. Bodies of several policemen were hanged in public places.

Recalling incidents of beheading, an EPF commando told TNS, "None of the culprits have been caught or punished till date. This, obviously, brings the morale of the force down."

Posting in Swat has become a very sensitive issue – something that the officials avoid commenting on. An official of the Frontier Police when approached only said that the government had spent over Rs 10 million on a 4-month training of 1022 cops of the EPF, who would be given Rs 3000 in addition to their salaries.

Interestingly, the establishment of the EPF has not yet been formally sanctioned. Though, the NWFP chief minister has approved the setting up of the Elite Force, comprising 2500 commandos, as a special case. Special training has been given to 1022 cops by army men at the Punjab Regimental Centre in Mardan while 521 others were trained at Karachi. Besides, the entire police force is being given five-week Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) training to equip them with techniques of fighting terrorism. A contingent of over 500 cops who are training in Karachi will return in March this year after which they will be deployed in different parts of the troubled valley. (The News on Sunday)
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Afzal Khan Lala: Veteran Pashtun leader defies Swat Taliban

Veteran Pashtun leader defies Swat Taliban

* Three-time attack survivor Afzal Khan on top of Taliban’s most-wanted list
* Favours military action, says government has to regain control

ISLAMABAD: Veteran ethnic Pashtun politician Muhammad Afzal Khan has refused to leave home in Swat, even though the Taliban have repeatedly tried to kill him, and says the people should stand up to the militants.

Swat was, until recently, one of Pakistan's top tourist destinations, but the Taliban have all but taken over the scenic mountain valley, imposing their severe interpretation of Islamic law and slaughtering opponents with impunity.

Many families have fled, while residents say many policemen have either deserted or simply refuse to act against the Taliban, who have shot, blown up or beheaded numerous officers.

But Khan, an 82-year-old former cabinet minister known as Afzal Lala, or Afzal the Elder, has chosen to stay on to try to rally resistance to the Taliban.

"I'm from this soil. It's my home. My tribe is here," Khan told Reuters in a telephone interview. "I want to live among my people. I won't run away."

The Taliban's grip on the valley, just 130km northwest of Islamabad and away from the lawless Afghan border, highlights Pakistan's deteriorating security.

The government has vowed to regain control of the valley by talking to the Taliban who lay down their arms. But there's no sign of that.

Top target: The Taliban have tried to kill Khan three times and have placed him on top of a list of politicians and prominent residents they have demanded appear before their ‘courts’. Residents refer to the list as a ‘hit list’.

Khan blames the government for failing to provide proper security, leading to the exodus of fearful people from the valley, and says people have to stand their ground. "I ask my friends and the people of Swat to return to their homes. It's our land. It's our problem, we have to sort it out."

As well as attacking the security forces, the Taliban have banned girls from classes and destroyed about 180 schools while broadcasting edicts and threats over their illegal FM radio. They have threatened to throw acid on men who do not grow beards and recently killed a woman singer and left her body in a square in the valley's main town.

Military action: Khan is a member of the Pashtun nationalist Awami National Party that rules the North West Frontier Province and is part of the ruling federal government coalition.

The party opposes the Taliban, many of whom are also Pashtun, and several of its members have been killed by the militants and its leaders have been targeted by suicide bombers. Most party leaders have fled from Swat.

Khan is in favour of military action against the Taliban, saying the government had to regain control. "If the government fails, if your last option is exhausted, then this region will fall into their hands," he said, adding that talks should only start “if militants laid down their arms”.

The Taliban, led by rebel cleric Fazlullah, are trying to set up their own administration, including their ‘Islamic courts’, but Khan said no one took that seriously. "I don't accept it, the people don't accept it," he said. But many people failed to understand why the military had not gone after the Taliban, he said. The military launched a big offensive in the valley in late 2007. The Taliban withdrew to the remote side valleys to avoid government artillery and slipped back later.

Khan, who lives in a well-guarded house surrounded by fruit trees, said he had faith. "Being a Muslim, I have faith in Allah. Nothing can happen to me no matter if Fazlullah puts my name on his list or not." reuters (Daily Times)

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Swat and the Mullah Military Alliance: Two pictures and a column - Abbas Ather

Army will restore writ in Swat: COAS

* Commanders brief COAS on security situation in valley
* Kayani meets Pashtun leader Afzal Lala, lauds his stance against the Taliban

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army has the ‘will and resolve’ to defeat terrorists, restore peace and establish the writ of the state in violence-hit areas, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani told troops during his visit to Swat on Wednesday.

The visit comes a day after the third phase of Operation Rah-e-Haq against the Fazlullah-led Taliban began on Tuesday.

Gen Kayani also lauded the morale of troops. A statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations directorate said the COAS “took stock of the situation” in Swat during the visit.

Military commanders briefed him on the security situation in Swat and Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Masood Aslam briefed him on operational plans, it said.

Gen Kayani gave fresh directions for the operation. The COAS also met notables of Swat and the civil administration.

A private TV channel said he also met Pashtun leader Afzal Lala and lauded his stance against the Taliban. Lala said political leaders would not be able to stay in Swat if they were not protected. He called for more government and media attention to Swat.


Eight bullet-ridden bodies found in Swat

PESHAWAR: Bullet-ridden bodies of eight civilians were found dumped in Swat on Wednesday, officials and residents said. The bodies were found at two separate locations in Mingora. “Five bodies were recovered from one place and three from another,” a security said. It was not clear whether the civilians were killed during the military offensive or executed by the Taliban. Authorities have intensified efforts to win back control of the valley from the Taliban, with several towns under curfew and orders to shoot violators on sight. afp (Daily Times)

Also read:

How do ISI officials view the Shariat peace deal in Swat and other aspects of the Talibanisation....

Swat — towards a Wahhabi state?

Swat: the other view; a tale of how 'those in power' facilitated Taliban in spreading their tentacles in the peacefull valley of Swat....

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Swat: Afzal Khan Lala of ANP says: "I will not surrender to the Taliban terror. I will not run away."

Legend from Swat: Afzal Khan Lala











Interview by Abdul Haye Kakar
BBC Urdu dot com


http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2009/01/090122_afzal_interview_rza.shtml

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Story of Afzal Khan Lala - by Rahimullah Yusufzai

http://letusbuildpakistan.blogspot.com/2009/01/rahimullah-yusufzai-afzal-khan-lala-of.html
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Also read, Last Khan standing - by Sartaj Khan

http://letusbuildpakistan.blogspot.com/2009/01/last-khan-standing.html
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For the sake of an ankle

Each day we think the situation in Swat cannot possibly become worse than it already is. Each day it does. The theatre of absurdities played out violently there brings daily tales of growing horror. The latest among these has been the account of a man murdered because he refused to raise his ‘shalwar’ above his ankle. Instructions to do so have formed part of a new dress code issued by the local militants. Other requirements put in place state that men must keep beards and wear skull caps. Women, of course, have already been ordered into invisibility.

How long the authorities will tolerate this madness? Swat has been reduced to a kind of jungle where the militants rule by force. Local people say they have no option but to comply with instructions issued over FM radio stations. The central square in Mingora has been re-named ‘Khooni Chowk’ because of the executions - often by beheading - that take place there virtually every day. Children are among those who gather to watch. The trauma suffered by local people is unimaginable. The latest outrageous murder just shows what kind of people we are dealing with.

It is sad that there has only been limited protest so far in the rest of the country against what is happening in Swat. Through the decades, people in one part of the country seem to have become isolated from others. Few look beyond their immediate interests. Even newspapers often focus on news essentially from their own areas rather than regarding the nation as a whole. The demands raised in the National Assembly for more decisive military and government action in Swat are welcome. But more is needed to exert pressure on decision makers. Human rights groups, political parties and all of us as citizens must rise to object to what is being done and demand an immediate end to the atrocities. (The News, Editorial, 24 Jan 2009)
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Swat: Last Khan standing

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Sartaj Khan The militants in Swat once again attacked the veteran Pashtun nationalist leader Mohammad Afzal Khan on Jan 11 in his native village of Bara Durshkhela, in the Matta area in upper Swat. Mohammad Afzal Khan is the only feudal and political leader who is determined to oppose the Fazlullah-led Taliban in Swat. He shows courage in standing before the militants despite many attacks and losses: his relatives, guards and property are attacked and bombed time and again. Despite the fact that the militants control 90 per cent of the valley, their victory is considered incomplete until they conquer the house of Durshkhela's khan. The situation is not in favour of the fuedals and politicians of the valley. Like many in Swat, "Khan Lala," as he is known, also has some reservation about the role of the army and the intelligence agencies. However, he had desperately asked the government and the army to provide weapons to people against the Taliban. It seems that in the present circumstances it will not be possible for anyone in Swat to organise a 'lashkar' after the killing and humiliation of Pir Samaiullah Khan by the Taliban. After the 1970s peasant movement in the valley, the rural poor now challenge the fuedals and notables in Swat. The control of the khans over society is deteriorating every day. It encourages the subordinate groups and the landless to retaliate. Khan Lala is attacked by a goldsmith, or a member of a non-agriculture subordinate group traditionally considered inferior. Traditionally the goldsmiths are not entitled to have land in Pakhtun society. They are service-providers to the landed classes known as Pakhtun. The foot soldiers of the Taliban come from the lower stratum of this society. They are determined to settle scores with fuedals and notables. The opposition from the subordinate group of his native village is a dangerous and unacceptable development for Khan Lala. Though Khan Lala is best known for his agenda of unification of Pashtuns across the Durand Line, he is not considered a separatist. The veteran nationalist leader, who is the biggest feudal of Swat, is at the same time well-entrenched in the power corridors of the state he is supposed to be trying to get rid of. He had served as provincial and federal minister before he was marginalised by his own party, the ANP, which he rejoined some years ago. He and his group in the party are marginalised by another group led by a minister from lower Swat with the support of the ANP leadership. He was even ignored during a peace accord with the Taliban last year, to the surprise of many people. Khan Lala is admired by friends and foes alike for facing the Taliban. For two years he has been urged by government officials and his supporters to leave the area. Khan Lala has turned down all such suggestions so far. His friends say that a conspiracy is being hatched against him. They apprehend that the Taliban are backed by the army. The supporters of Khan Lala are not clear about the situation, but they criticise the army, the Taliban, the provincial government and the ANP. One of his admirers and supporters said to me that "the party and the government want to humiliate Khan Lala too." These alleged opponents are said to be worried about the popularity and respect Khan Lala enjoys because of the great losses he is suffering. "He is a Pakhtun. In spite of leaving his people he will prefer to die like Najib," said his supporter, referring to the late president Najibullah of Afghanistan. Mohammad Afzal Khan has chosen a place in history for himself. From the gravity of the situation it seems he is up against insurmountable odds. It is a do or die situation for the veteran nationalist leader. His opposition to the Taliban puts his opponent in unfavourable position, especially the nationalist leadership of the ANP. In any case, Mohammad Afzal Khan will be remembered as a brave leader of the landed classes and of Pakhtun nationalism. (The News) The writer is an activist and independent researcher. Email: sartaj2000@yahoo.com

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Rahimullah Yusufzai: Afzal Khan Lala of ANP vows to stay in Swat despite fresh attack

Afzal Khan Lala vows to stay in Swat despite fresh attack

Seeks arms for village militias to fight militants Monday, January 12, 2009 by Rahimullah Yusufzai PESHAWAR: Despite one more attack by militants on his house on Saturday, elderly politician Mohammad Afzal Khan is determined to stay put in his native Swat and organise resistance against the Maulana Fazlullah-led Taliban. “I have asked the Governor of NWFP, Owais Ghani, to provide arms and support to the people of Swat to enable them to fight back and protect themselves against the militants. I want to convey the same message to the Chief Minister but have been unable to reach him on phone,” he told The News from his village, Bara Drushkhela, in Swat’s Taliban-infested Matta tehsil. The 82-year-old Afzal Khan Lala, as he is commonly known, belongs to the Awami National Party (ANP), which is also the party of NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti. He is a veteran nationalist leader and has served as both federal and provincial minister. In the latest attack on his house, the militants reportedly fired from the home of a goldsmith, Ahmad Jan, belonging to Bara Drushkhela. It was the first time that someone from Afzal Khan Lala’s village was involved in an attack on his home. It was learnt that Afzal Khan Lala’s young relatives and supporters subsequently raided Ahmad Jan’s home and got hold of him and his three sons. They were handed over to the security forces, which drove them away to their camp. Later, news reached the village that Ahmad Jan and one of his sons had died. The circumstances of their death are unclear and it isn’t known if they were shot dead while trying to escape. Ahmad Jan’s two other sons were still stated to be in the custody of the security forces. When told that the security forces were denying any attack on his house, Afzal Khan Lala laughed and said he knew it because he was experiencing such assaults. “This isn’t the first time that I have been attacked. The fact that the latest attack took place from inside my village is a worrying development. It shows that the Taliban militants were gaining strength and this was emboldening their supporters to take side in the conflict,” he explained. Afzal Khan Lala, it may be recalled, has been attacked four to five times. He survived an ambush in the past when militants fired at his car. His two bodyguards were killed in the attack and he and his nephew, Abdul Jabbar Khan, Nazim for Matta tehsil, were wounded. Even then, he refused to shift to Peshawar for medical treatment. Instead, he drove back to his village and entrenched himself in his home. Unlike other politicians and Khans, he hasn’t run away from Swat and is refusing to abandon his people. Appeals by relations, friends, party activists and admirers have failed to convince him to move out of Swat due to the ever-present threat to his life. Members of Afzal Khan Lala’s extended family remain armed all the time to guard his home and also their own houses. His nephews are in the forefront in accepting the challenge from the militants and waiting to fight back. The government has deployed personnel of the security forces to protect the senior ANP politician. Afzal Khan Lala pointed out that the security forces had become active in carrying out military operations with the change of command in Swat. However, he said the military could not be expected to secure every village and street after having conducted action. “For this reason, I asked the government eight months ago to arm the people of Swat so that village militias could be set up to defend villages against the militants. The Swatis due to the peculiar situation in our valley during the rule of the Wali of Swat were peaceful and largely unarmed. Now they have been terrorised by the Taliban. They need help to gather courage and fight back,” he argued.

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The Taliban in Swat (a joint group of extremists Deobandis and Wahhabis) kill their rival Sunni Barelvi Pir Samiullah. ISI a silent accomplice?

In Mingora, Swat, Taliban have killed one of their chief opponents in Swat, residents and officials said on Tuesday. But residents of the scenic mountain valley and a senior government politician said increasingly brazen militant attacks were raising fear the military was losing control. The militants killed one of their biggest rivals in the valley on Sunday. Samiullah Khan was a Pir, or spiritual leader of Sunni Barelvi sect, who had raised a militia to fight the Taliban.” They were chasing him for some time and found him at home. An exchange of fire took place in which the militants killed Pir Samiullah and seven of his followers,” said Gul Noor, police chief in the valley’s Matta town. The militants also captured 24 of Khan’s men. A spokesman for the Taliban in the valley, Muslim Khan, said a Taliban council would decide the fate of Khan’s 24 supporters.

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Pakistan militants kill rival and bring fear to valley
Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:37am GMT

By Junaid Khan

MINGORA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistani Taliban have killed one of their chief opponents in a north-western valley -- once a tourism centre -- where they are trying to impose a reign of terror, residents and officials said on Tuesday.

Violence has surged in the Swat Valley, 120 km (80 miles) northwest of Islamabad, since August when government forces launched a fresh offensive to clear militants from what was until recently one of Pakistan's main tourist destinations.

But residents of the scenic mountain valley and a senior government politician said increasingly brazen militant attacks were raising fear the military was losing control.

The militants killed one of their biggest rivals in the valley on Sunday. Samiullah Khan was a pir, or spiritual leader, who had raised a militia to fight the Taliban.

"They were chasing him for some time and found him at home. An exchange of fire took place in which the militants killed Pir and seven of his followers," said Gul Noor, police chief in the valley's Matta town.

The militants also captured 24 of Khan's men.

In a grim show of defiance, the militants dug up Khan's body on Monday and strung it up in Matta's main square, residents said.

A spokesman for the Taliban in the valley, Muslim Khan, said a Taliban council would decide the fate of Khan's 24 supporters.

"We don't know who's controlling the region but at least we're not. The militants are operating openly," Adeel said.

"Police don't have the capacity to fight an insurgency and all this is happening in the presence of a well-trained army. What's going on?"

A senior military official in Swat acknowledged the insurgency being waged from remote mountains had intensified, but he said the army had a strategy.

"We're fighting a guerrilla war. They operate in small groups. They're not in towns but do use population as a shield," said the officer, who declined to be identified.

"They are trying to create a reign of terror among the local population and we have to tackle it and we're on it."

Separately, insurgents attacked a security check post in the Mohmand region on the Afghan border on Tuesday and seven militants and one soldier were killed, paramilitary officials said.

(Additional reporting by Shams Mohmand; Writing by Kamran Haider; Editing by Robert Birsel and Jerry Norton)

Link to BBC Urdu dot com article:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2008/12/081216_swat_sami_hang_grave_rh.shtml

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45 cops surrender to militants

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

By our correspondent

MINGORA: Forty-five policemen, who reportedly surrendered to the militants, were granted ‘clearance certificates’ by local Taliban in Manglore area of Charbagh Tehsil of restive Swat on Monday. Sources said 45 policemen, whose identity could not be ascertained, surrendered to the militants in Manglore area of Charbagh Tehsil in the Swat valley. It was reported that the militants awarded clearance certificates to the policemen so that they could produce them in future to avoid arrest.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=18995

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Militants torch 15 houses of ANP leader

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

By our correspondent

MINGORA: Unknown militants on Monday torched 15 houses owned by former federal min-ister and Awami National Party leader Afzal Khan Lala in Droshkhela area of the restive Swat valley.

The houses were used by his personal servants. No casualty was reported in the incident as the inmates had already abandoned the houses. It may be mentioned that militants had earlier blown up the markets of Afzal Khan Lala at the Matta Bazaar and a Hujra on the bank of the Swat River.

Separately, the militants awarded 30 and 15 lashes to two drug peddlers and two addicts, respectively. According to militants, Gulbar and Sahib were involved in drug pushing who were awarded 30 lashes each for the crime, while Zahid Ali and Hazrat Zaib were awarded 15 lashes each for consuming drugs.

Similarly, two alleged thieves, whose names could not be ascertained, were also awarded 30 lashes each in Bandai area of Kabal Tehsil. Meanwhile, the body of Khair-ur-Rahman, a resident of Khairabad in Galoch area of Kabal, was found in Aligarama. Some unknown persons had recently kidnapped him.

Sources said that unidentified persons had kidnapped Khair-ur-Rahman from his village Khairabad a week ago.

The next day his son, Maulvi Mumtaz Ali, went out in search of his father, but the Maulvi

was found dead in Sarsenai area. Also, the Tehsil municipal committee on Monday buried two dead women, who were killed by unknown persons at the Green Chowk Bazaar of Mingora city in the wee hours of Sunday.
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