Author:
Publication: Communalism Combat
Date: July-August 2008
URL: http://www.sabrang.com/cc/archive/2008/july-aug08/taliban.html
Introduction: The Pakistani Taliban said a
fidayeen squad comprising boys and girls from 10 to 20 years of age is ready
to carry out attacks and target top government functionaries if the government
does not immediately stop its operations against the Taliban
August 6, 2008:
Islamabad: The Pakistani Taliban has warned
that boys and girls of its suicide squad will launch "massive" strikes
across the country, including the commercial hub of Karachi, if military operations
in Swat and other tribal areas are not halted immediately.
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Maulvi
Omar also said they had set up "modern anti-aircraft and missile systems"
along the border with Afghanistan to avert any incursions by NATO forces and
the Afghan national army into Pakistan's tribal areas.
Omar said the Taliban had responded "positively
to the government's peace overtures" but both the federal and the NWFP
governments had failed to "meet their commitments".
He claimed the federal government was pursuing
the policies of President Pervez Musharraf and trying to complete the "unfinished
American agenda".
The warning issued by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
deputy chief Maulana Faqir Mohammad and Omar was the latest round in a war
of words between the militants and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a key
political player in Karachi.
Over the past few days the MQM has urged the
federal government not to ignore the local Taliban's efforts to establish
a presence in Karachi. It has said any failure to counter the Taliban could
have serious repercussions for trade and commerce in the southern port city.
Addressing a press conference at Anayat Kalley,
eight kilometres from the headquarters of Bajaur agency, the duo said a fidayeen
squad comprising boys and girls from 10 to 20 years of age is ready to carry
out attacks and target top government functionaries if the government does
not immediately stop its operations against the Taliban in Swat and reverse
its decision to launch action in other tribal areas.
Omar said that Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah
Mehsud had held consultations with key commanders and they were of the opinion
that the only way to effectively counter the government's "aggressive
plans" is to launch massive attacks.
He said a plan had been finalised and the
Taliban had decided to launch suicide attacks in Peshawar, Mardan, Dir and
other districts of the North-West Frontier Province.
He also said arrangements had been made to
effectively wage a "jihad against the infidels".
Omar asked MQM chief Altaf Hussain to "wind
up his group's activities" and said Karachi would soon fall into the
hands of the Taliban who were awaiting Mehsud's orders to launch action in
the city.
"This is a warning for Altaf Hussain
to cease his statements against the Taliban and end his kingdom in Karachi.
Otherwise we will launch attacks against the MQM and its leaders once we are
given the go-ahead by Baitullah Mehsud," Maulana Faqir Mohammad said.
Hundreds of people were killed in about 70
suicide attacks carried out last year by the Taliban all over Pakistan.
