Pakistan ban on Taliban organisations

Islamabad, Aug. 25: Pakistan on Monday banned an umbrella group of Taliban militants blamed for a wave of attacks and suicide bombings, including a strike on the house of a provincial legislator’s brother early on Monday morning that killed 10 people.

Interior minister Rehman Malik announced the ban on Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, an umbrella group of militants headed by Baitullah Mehsud, that operates in the North West Frontier Province and adjoining tribal areas.

Mr Malik said the ban would help the government curb militants activities throughout the tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.

The announcement came just hours after the Taliban attacked the home of Awami National Party (ANP) legislator Waqar Ahmed Khan’s brother in the Kabal sub-district of Swat valley in the NWFP. The leader’s brother was killed in the attack, along with his two nephews and seven security guards.

Militants separated women and children from the men before attacking the house with rockets and automatic weapons. They later demolished the house with explosives. Mr Khan was not home at the time of the attack.

Local Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was carried out in retaliation for military operations against militants that are supported by the ANP, which heads the NWFP’s coalition government. He warned of more such attacks across Swat.

Meanwhile, a notification issued by the interior ministry said the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan had been banned along with the Lashkar-e-Islam, Ansar-ul-Islam and Amar Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Aneelmunkar (promotion of virtue and prevention of vice force).

Mr Malik said the Pakistani Taliban had been outlawed for their involvement in a series of suicide attacks. He pointed out that the groups had themselves claimed responsibility for several suicide bombings.

According to the notification, they were all banned for involvement in terrorist activities. It said that all those who provided shelter or financial support to members of these groups would face action under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The bank accounts and assets of Taliban members and organisations linked to them would be frozen, the notification said.

Mr Malik said the government had so far not banned the Pakistani Taliban as authorities were trying to hold peace talks with the group.

Our Pakistan correspondent reports that on Sunday night, adviser to the Prime Minister on interior affairs Rehman Malik said the operation against the Taliban would continue until their surrender.

Talking to reporters here, he said the unilateral ceasefire announced by the Taliban is not acceptable, as they had broken previous pledges.

The adviser said the ceasefire can only hold if the Taliban surrender their arms publicly in Islamabad. Mr Malik said that 550 Taliban militants have been killed in the Bajaur military operation, while a number of dead bodies were still lying in the area.

To a question, he said that some of killed and arrested militants are Uzbeks, details of whom will be shared with the media soon.

Mr Malik said that 3,00,000 people have been displaced in Bajaur and 80,000 in Deerdue to military operation.

Mr Malik said that Rs 80 million have been earmarked for relief and rehabilitation of the affected, while 10,000 tents have been set-up in Dir for them. —PTI