Thousands flee as Waziristan tense

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Taliban, army build up in South Waziristan
* Ahmedzai Wazirs stay, want Maulvi Nazir to stay away from Baitullah Mehsud

By Iqbal Khattak

PESHAWAR: Residents of South Waziristan are fleeing the agency amid a build up of forces by the army and the Taliban.

“Mehsuds are leaving their areas in Sarwakai and Ladah tehsils for fears of an operation,” local sources told Daily Times. Former tribal MNA Maulana Mirajuddin confirmed “hundreds of thousands” of people were on the move.

There have been no reports that Ahmedzai Wazirs are migrating. The tribes are seeking an “unambiguous pledge” from Taliban leader Maulvi Nazir to stay away from Baitullah Mehsud if he fights against the army, Ahmedzai Wazirs elders told Daily Times by phone from Wana.

Unconfirmed reports say Nazir has told Baitullah: “I am ready to give you passage through Ahmedzai Wazir areas to Afghanistan if you want to fight the occupational forces there. But I cannot join you against the Pakistani forces...”

A group of elders attempted to meet Nazir on Thursday but could not because the Taliban leader is keeping his location secret to avoid a drone attack from the United States.

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