Militants from Bajaur Agency, Swat and other parts of Malakand Division who escaped military operations in their areas are now active across the border in Kunar province of Afghanistan from where they are engaged in terrorist activities in Bajaur, Upper and Lower Dir and Chitral districts.
According to classified official documents, the deputy chief of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, is not only leading the “escaped militants” but he is also in contact with high-ranking Afghan officials. The documents particularly mentioned the name of Syed Fazalullah Wahidi, who is the governor of Kunar, and who from time to time holds meetings with militants, including Faqir Mohammad.
In a recent meeting with Pakistan Today in Kabul, Wahidi had confirmed the presence of “Pakistani militants” in the border regions of the two countries. He said, “Checking and netting out of these militants is possible through joint efforts of Pakistan and Afghan security forces.” However, according to the classified documents, Wahidi was quoted on June 4 as saying, “Pakistan is our enemy because it is sending militants to Afghanistan to fight against us. Therefore, those people (miscreants) who have migrated to Afghanistan (Kunar) will be supported in terms of arms, ammunition and explosives.”
According to the documents, after chairing a meeting of militant commanders in Shino Chogam village in Kunar province on September 9, Mohammad remained a guest of the Kunar governor. However, there are no details of the talks between the two. According to the documents, Mohammad directed at least 13 leading commanders from scattered areas of Bajaur “to provide manpower for terrorist activities in Mamo Jungle, Sarkai, Darmangi, Dabari and Ghakhi Pass areas of Bajaur Agency”. The participants agreed. All 13 commanders are wanted by the government in various acts of terrorism in Bajaur Agency and in its adjacent Upper and Lower Dir districts.
Mohammad belongs to Bajaur and has also served as deputy to Maulana Sufi Mohammad, who is imprisoned in Peshawar since mid 2009. Some high-ranking officials while justifying the reports of the secret agencies regarding links of Afghan officials with Pakistani militants have diverted the attention towards frequent acts of terrorism, including deadly attacks against the security forces and on pro-government tribal and social elders and civilians in Bajaur, Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Chitral districts.
