As media reports pour in regarding a possible military action in the restive tribal area of North Waziristan Agency, foreign and local militants present in the region are mulling ways to escape the assault, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Sources told Pakistan Today that amidst the uncertain situation, Hafiz Gul Bahadar, considered the most influential among the militants, has so far remained silent.
However, some of his supporters and colleagues are in contact with each other for evolving a strategy.
Maulana Sadiq Noor invited his fellows for a meeting at Khatti Keley near Mirali on Wednesday. Details of the meeting could not be obtained, but sources said it focused on the proposed military action in North Waziristan Agency.
Noor is considered an active militant figure in the Mirali region and is amongst the confidential aides of Hafiz Gul Bahadar.
At the same time, Bahadar is in good working relationship with the government through the political administration and officials of intelligence agencies. Even Noor is getting the lion’s share in the huge amount allocated for construction of roads and other infrastructure.
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan has not only opposed the proposed military action, but even warned of stern resistance.
Ihsan said, “The armed forces will be welcomed in North Waziristan by suicide bombers.” Still Bahadar has remained mum. Bahadar is not part of the TTP and looks to avoid confrontation with the government.
It has been learnt that Bahadar was in contact with the government and struggling to block the proposed military action. In this respect, he enjoys the support and backing of certain religious parties, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, who have strongly opposed the proposed offensive against militants not only in North Waziristan, but throughout the Tribal Areas.
Even before a final decision on the action, a large number of militants have moved to safer areas, including South Waziristan, Kurram Agency and Orakzai Agency. Some of the militants are moving to the border and other no-man’s areas close to Afghanistan, where they enjoy support and sanctuaries.
Almost all top figures of the Haqqani Network have shifted to safe places during and before Ramadan.
Some of them crossed over to Afghanistan, while some have moved to less populated areas in the Potohar region of Punjab, where the Haqqani family owns well-protected houses and accommodations.
Tribal sources said al Qaeda fugitives had already moved towards Syria, where the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and US-led allies are forcing Syria’s Bashar Al Assad to resign. These fugitives would now play a key role in mass movements against Assad and would even get involved in terrorist and other violent acts.
However, local tribesmen are carefully monitoring the situation. A majority of influential and affluent families have already abandoned homes and shifted to Peshawar, Islamabad and other main cities and towns, while others are forced to play silent spectators to whatever might unfold in the area.
NWA militants abandoning bases to escape imminent offensive
