PESHAWAR – The hardliners in North Waziristan, mostly affiliated to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F seem divided over the recent US drone attack on gathering of tribal elders at Data Khel area, close to Pak-Afghan border. Around 47 persons including tribal elders were killed in the drone hit on March 17th, 2011.
The Jirga was targeted in the area dominated by Hafiz Gul Bahadar, who is associated to JUI(F) and had as served party’s student wing Jamiat Tulba Islam in the past. Most of the victims were associated with Hafiz Gul Bahadar faction, who along with Mullah Nazir was in an alliance with the banned Tehrik Taliban Pakistan.
Hafiz Gul Bahadar and his associates had inked in agreement with the government in 2006 that both the sides would remain tolerant towards each others. Getting benefits of such agreement, thousands of tribesmen since then have gathered in North Waziristan Agency. In 2010, 39 out of 117 US drone attacks only targeted Datakhel area, which is commanded by Hafiz Gul Bahadar.
The data reveal that 236 out of 717 killed in all 117 US drone attacks were present at Data Khel. Through some highly placed sources, Pakistan Today came to know that soon after March 17, 2011 US drone attack, Hafiz Gul Bahadar along with his dozens of like minded colleagues assembled at Mirali and met with former MNA Maulana Mohammad Deendar.
Maulana Deendar of JUI (F). Hafiz Gul Bahadar and his associates insisted that the 2006 accord must be called off, but Deendar rejected the idea. Sources said, Maulana Deendar while opposing idea of Bahadar and his associates reminded them since the forces started offensive against militants, North Waziristan was the only refuge for them and by blowing the deal they could bring troubles for them.
