Taliban dumps deal, occupies Pak town

Islamabad

April 9: Hardline cleric Maulana Sufi Mohammed on Thursday ordered the closure of a “peace camp” in Swat as some 400-500 militants from Swat took over several villages pushing back the pro-government lashkars (tribal militia) in Buner, just 100 km from Islamabad.

The development comes after Pakistani Taliban commander Mullah Nazeer Ahmed said various militant factions had united to take over Islamabad. Maulana Mohammed, who heads the banned Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Moham-madi (TNSM) announced the closure of his peace camp in Swat and accused the Pakistan government of not taking interest in the implementation of Sharia in the area before his loyal Taliban militants took control of the villages.

This is the first time that Taliban fighters and ultra-religious militants from Swat have ventured out of their area to seize control of villages in some other district.

Eight militants, two members of a tribal militia and three policemen died in clashes that erupted after the Taliban moved into Buner on Monday.

Addressing a press meet in Mingora, Maulana Sufi Mohammed said the decision was taken as President Asif Ali Zardari did not sign the Nifaz-e-Adal (Islamic justice system) Regulation of 2009 even though two months had elapsed.

Mr Zardari said that he will not allow enforcement of the Islamic law in Swat till peace is restored completely.