Armed Taliban back on Mingora roads : TNSM rejects Darul Qaza

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Sufi’s spokesman says NWFP govt acted unilaterally
* Taliban destroy girls’ high school, grid station, attempt to blow up bridge in Swat
* Behead two FC officials, rob bank in Chakdara

MINGORA: Swat cleric Sufi Muhammad’s banned Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) – which had promised to ensure peace in the restive valley in return for the establishment of sharia courts – on Sunday rejected the Darul Qaza appellate court set up by the NWFP government.

Ameer Izzat Khan, the chief spokesman for Sufi Muhammad, said that the government had acted unilaterally in establishing the Darul Qaza and had violated the peace agreement.

He said it had been decided in a May 1 meeting between the provincial government and the TNSM in Timergara that the government would first announce an end to the operations in Malakand following which the Taliban would declare a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, armed Taliban were out on Mingora streets on Sunday in what the ISPR called gross violation of the peace deal. “Militants are involved in various criminal activities threatening the lives of the civilian population, the civil administration as well as security forces personnel,” it said.

Early on Sunday, the Taliban blew up a girls’ high school in Ningolai area of Kabal tehsil. The building was completely razed.

Late on Sunday, a mechanic was held from Watakai Chowk when he was preparing a vehicle for a suicide attack.

Another vehicle prepared for a suicide attack was on its way to Saidu Sharif Swat when the troops spotted it. The vehicle was destroyed after a gunfight.

Three Taliban were arrested along with a suicide vehicle in Mingora, the ISPR said.

The Taliban attacked a grid station with rockets, destroying the facility and disrupting power supply to Mingora. They also attacked a police station in Rahimabad late on Saturday. The ensuing gunfight continued until Sunday morning.

The Taliban also attempted to blow up the Chamtalai Bridge in Khawazakhela. The key bridge was partially damaged. Four Taliban were reportedly injured in a clash after they attacked the security forces in Sambat Ridge area. The Taliban abducted the Mingora town municipal officer and his son from Sharifabad. They released the two later but seized their vehicle.

In Madyan, the Taliban fired at security forces killing one soldier.

Three other soldiers were injured in various clashes with the Taliban in Swat.

A civilian was killed as security forces and the Taliban clashed in the Madyan summer resort. Two beheaded bodies were found in the Alam Ganj area of Khwazakhela. Witnesses said both were FC personnel. The Taliban also robbed a bank in Chakdara bazaar. Reports said they took away Rs 600,000 from Habib Bank. ghulam farooq/irfan ghauri/app

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_1